MAIKO ITO

My work explores the flow of places and time through the question: “From what perspective am I seeing the world now?” In moments when I am unbound by social roles or positions—simply present within the flow—I begin to reflect on what I see, and why I see it. I often move between the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live with my partner, and Japan.Through this constant movement, the theme of perspective—of how and from where I see the world—has become clearer to me.

​

 In Bay Area, a place of rich diversity, identity feels less defined by societal expectations and more grounded in personal resonance. Everyone seems to carry a different way of seeing the world, and all of these perspectives deserve respect. These cultural contrasts and the layered viewpoints that emerge through movement have become the starting point for my work. 

​

Having grown up in Japan, I have developed a sensibility that values what lies beyond the visible—space, atmosphere, and flow. I pay quiet attention to the moments when I am unexpectedly moved by a scene or a sensation. 

This sensation feels like being gently swayed by waves in the sea—each wave softly pushing and pulling at my feet. The interplay of subtle uncertainty and clarity I experience in these moments forms the core of my work. 

​

In a world flooded with information and fragmented viewpoints, it’s easy to lose touch with what truly matters. That’s why I believe in returning to one’s own gaze—one’s own way of seeing—as a quiet act of resistance. Observing these fleeting impressions helps me stay rooted in what feels essential and authentic.

​

 We live in a time when long-held values—those built to resist discrimination, inequality, and exclusion—are increasingly at risk. In such moments, I feel a deep need to protect the clarity of personal perception, and to stay grounded in what resonates within.

Through my work, I hope to offer a space for quiet contemplation, free from judgment or instruction. A space that honors each person’s unique and irreplaceable point of view.