Mari Ito

1980, Tokyo, Japan. In her work, Mari Ito explores the theme of ‘desire’. She has, in fact, always been drawn to the Freudian theory of the human psyche and the three entities cohabiting our psyche: The Id, the Ego and the Superego. Of these three, the artist reflects on the first —the Id, the most pure and primitive— as the source of our desires and their consequences. As, unlike in Western culture, Japanese society frowns upon the outward expression of certain opinions and emotions, particularly in public spaces, this heightens the interest of the pieces, serving as they do to help transmit certain thoughts and feelings. In doing so, the artist attempts to alleviate this need for direct communication in the form of words, revealed to be truly complex in Japanese society.

Origins

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Arcoiris Rojo

2018
100 x 100 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Arcoiris Naranja

2018
100 x 100 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Arcoiris Amarillo

2018
100 x 100 cm

Sculpture

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Quiero Beber Una Cerveza

2015
10 x 10 x 15 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Energía Invisible

2020
73 x 60 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – El Resultado Del Deseo

2013
162 x 130 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Quiero Ver

2012
59 x 42 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Ritmo De Nacimiento De Alegría

2020
54 x 64 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Los Malos Deseos

2014
80 x 64.8 cm

Painting

Mari Ito

Origen Del Deseo – Tiempo De Paz

2020
54 x 64 cm

Mari Ito

Mari Ito’s emotional experiences are expressed metaphorically through rhythmic floral compositions, vibrant colours and the traditional, uniquely Japanese painting conventions referred to as Nihonga. References to classic Japanese patterns used in kimono designs and other items as well as the floral art of ikebana are central to her works.Mari Ito has lived in Barcelona since 2006, when she first made her mark on the international contemporary art scene, participating in both solo and group exhibitions, first in her country of origin and later in the Catalan capital and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in Basel, Istanbul and New York. She has participated in art fairs in Paris, Hong Kong, Singapore and Miami and has also collaborated with brands such as Lilien Berg (2016), Bershka (2017), Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) in Barcelona’s Universitat metro station (2017) and Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi (2018).

See all available Artworks

References to classic Japanese patterns used in kimono designs and other items as well as the floral art of ikebana are central to her works.

References to classic Japanese patterns used in kimono designs and other items as well as the floral art of ikebana are central to her works.

Solo Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
Collaborations
Art Fairs

Solo Exhibitions

2019

  • A flor del piel, Villa del Arte Galleries, Barcelona.
  • El jardín de los deseos del Japón contemporáneo, Torreón de Fortea, Zaragoza.
  • MARI ITO Barcelona 2009-2019, Hakudohtei Gallery, Tokyo.

2018

  • Itomarism Kaleidoscope, Jankossen Contemporary Art Gallery, New York.
  • Itomarism, Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Art Square, Tokyo.

2017

  • Itomarismo, Nap Galley 3331 Arts Chiyoda, Tokyo.
  • Itomarisme, Artèria, Igualada.

2016

  • Mari Ito, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.

2014

  • Invisible, Nap Gallery 3331 Arts Chiyoda, Tokyo.
  • The garden of desire, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.

2013

  • El origen del deseo, Tatiana Kourochkina Galeria d´Art, Barcelona.

2012

  • Id – El origen del deseo – nacimiento, La Cerverina d´Art, Cervera.
  • Id – El origen del deseo – nacimiento, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.
  • The origin of desire – the emergence, Nap Gallery 3331 Arts, Chiyoda, Tokyo.
  • The origin of a desire, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.

2011

  • Id – De l’origen del desig, Vinart, Igualada.

2009

  • Id – en movimiento hacia el círculo, Kannon Gyo & Wa Gallery, Barcelona.
  • Id – El origen del deseo, Sala d’art Hostalet 1701 Hotel, Girona.
  • Id – el origen de los deseos, Kannon Gyo & Wa Gallery, Barcelona.

2008

  • Mari Ito, Zenbu Gallery, Barcelona.

 

Group Exhibitions

2019

  • Villa del Arte Galleries, Barcelona.
  • Villa del Arte Galleries, Amsterdam.

2018

  • DelicArTessen17, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.
  • The 7th Higashiyama Kaii Memorial Nikkei Nihonga Award, Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo.

2017

  • DelicArTessen16, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona. DelicArTessen15, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.

2016

  • DelicArTessen15, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona. 

2015

  • UTOPIA, Jankossen Contemporary Art Gallery, New York. Inter[canvi], Arteria, Barcelona.
  • DelicARTessen14, Galeria Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.
  • Dessins, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.
  • Sensibilitat Toquio, La Cerverina d´Art, Cervera.
  • Flors, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.

2014

  • DelicArTessen13, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.
  • Ulls D’ Argos!, La Cerverina d´Art, Cervera.
  • Painting by four, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.
  • Covered Tokyo: Hikarie, Shibuya Hicarie, Tokyo.

2013

  • Green Flower Street, Tatiana Kourochkina Art Gallery, Istanbul.
  • The Origin of Desire Mari Ito and Mami Yamanaka, Jankossen Contemporary Art Gallery, Basel.

2012

  • Zeit Foto Collection, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.

2011

  • DelicARTessen10, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.
  • The fruits of Adventures, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.
  • Art in Adventure, Zeit Foto Salon, Tokyo.
  • DelicARTessen9, Galería Esther Montoriol, Barcelona.

2009

  • Via art 09, Shinwa Art Museum, Tokyo.
  • Asian Young Artists 4 – The world that drips, Keumsan Gallery, Tokyo.
  • El japó de Jordi Serra, Masia Museu Serra, Barcelona.

2007

  • Christmas collection, Zenbu Gallery, Barcelona.
  • Japanese Artists, Zenbu Gallery, Barcelona.

Collaborations

2018

  • Yukata collaboration x Mari Ito, Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi, Tokyo.

2017

  • Limited Edition Mari Ito patches, Bershka, todos los países.
  • Nacimiento de origen del deseo ¿Es primavera? (pintura mural),
  • TMB Estación de Metro Universidad, Barcelona.

2016

  • Lilien Berg box, Lilien Berg, Kanagawa.

Art Fairs

2019

  • Art Bodensee, Villa de Arte Galleries, Barcelona, Austria.

2018

  • Art Paris, Jankossen Contemporary Art Gallery, Paris.

2015

  • Aosando Art Fair, Omotesando Hills Tokyo, Tokyo.

2014

  • AHAF Hong Kong 2014, Zeit Foto Salon, Hong Kong.
  • Art Stage Singapore 2014, Villa del Arte Barcelona, Singapore.

2013

  • Scope Miami 2013, Villa de Arte Galleries, Barcelona, Miami.
  • Contemporary Istanbul, Tatiana Kourochkina Art Gallery, Istanbul.
  • Art Toronto 2013, Villa del Arte Galleries, Barcelona, Toronto.
  • Affordable Art Fair New York, Villa del Arte Barcelona, New York.
  • Scope Basel 2013, Jankossen Contemporary Art Gallery, Basel.

2012

  • Contemporary Istanbul, Tatiana Kourochkina Art Gallery, Istanbul.
  • ArtNagoya, 2012 Contemporary Art Fair, The Westin Nagoya Castle, Nagoya.

2010

  • AHAF2010HK, Asia Top Gallery Hotel Art Fair. Gran Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong.