Aya Vi Sophie Kowata

I am a Japanese contemporary artist based in Japan. Having lived in Japan, the United States, and New Zealand, I have been shaped by different cultures and ways of seeing the world, and this naturally finds its way into my creative life.

I am drawn to quietness, simplicity, natural materials, and the beauty found in things that do not need to be perfect. My work is often inspired by nature, relationships, reflection, and the small moments of everyday life.

I create primarily with diatomaceous earth plaster and natural pigments, building tactile abstract works by hand. I enjoy allowing the materials themselves to have a voice—their texture, irregularities, and interaction with light are part of what makes each piece unique.

For me, making art is less about imposing an idea and more about discovering what gradually emerges through the process.