The Burnaby Art Gallery is pleased to be hosting Ayako Rokkaku, a current Deer Lake Artist in Residence, for an Open Studio on March 18, from 3-4:30 pm. Visit with Ayako in the Fireside Room of the Gallery to get a glimpse into her process, learn about her techniques and get a sneak peak of works for her upcoming exhibition, Trails of Life in the Air at the Center of International Contemporary Art (CICA). This is a casual drop-in for artists, artworkers and the public to have the chance to connect with other artists.
No registration is required. Light snacks will be provided.
Born in Chiba, Japan, Ayako Rokkaku (@rokkakuayako) lives and works between Berlin, Porto and Tokyo. Her artistic process is instinctive and performative: she applies acrylic paint with her bare hands, translating the movement of her body directly onto the canvas. Rokkaku’s visual language seamlessly shifts between elusive abstract formations and figurative elements, drawing inspiration from the kawaii culture (Japanese for cute) and capturing the boundless imagination of a child. Known for her vibrant canvases filled with fantastical characters and imagined landscapes, Rokkaku often stages live painting performances that highlight her process and foster a direct connection with the audience. She has presented major solo exhibitions at The Long Museum, the Chiba Prefectural Museum of Art, Museum Jan, Danubiana Art Museum and Kunsthal Museum.
Image credits:
Ayako Rokkaku, Untitled (detail), 2025, acrylic on canvas, 45 5/8 x 51 1/8 in. Image courtesy of KÖNIG GALERIE.
Headshot of Ayako Rokkaku. Image courtesy of KÖNIG GALERIE.
