Akiko Setoguchi
Born in 1980 in Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture, Akiko Setoguchi now resides in Karatsu City. She graduated in 2002 from the Department of Fine Arts and Crafts at Saga University, with a focus on Western Painting. Her work consistently revolves around the theme of invisible yet important things. She skillfully incorporates light, darkness, and color into landscapes in a graceful manner.
Setoguchi embodies Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous line, “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” Her work often depicts rivers and forests, and she also brings together seemingly opposite elements, painting them alongside soft light. Viewers are gently drawn in, as if invited to wander through her landscapes. It’s okay to get lost, or even go missing, as that too is an adventure.
For this exhibition, Setoguchi has ventured into the realm of ceramics. The resulting forms, reminiscent of birds or feathers, are wonderfully strange. They capture a sense of freedom and passion—both of which are invisible yet powerfully present. The quiet blue flame of determination and unspoken frustration burns deep inside her work. Moving forward, we hope she will continue her bold and untamed journey.
