Moe Nakamura

Moe Nakamura believes in hope. “From the moment we are born, the only way to establish ourselves is by believing in a world that has already been created by others." Optimistically, she believes in the world but she’s also critical of how it could be better. Nakamura is inspired by Japanese folklore, nature and kawaii figures – soft and plastic toys similar to anime characters which are often brightly coloured with exaggerated expressions. In part, they remind her of her childhood and play. These nods to contemporary culture, along with Nakamura’s use of social media, contrast with her use of traditional Japanese carving. This is a tension at the heart of her work. The old and the new endlessly collide.

Nakamura’s intricate carvings from Camphor wood are, at times, whimsical. She uses the unique notches of each log to mimic the texture of real skin. She then reduces each piece of wood, using hand-saws, carving knives and chisels. They are all hand-painted with oil paint, and usually between 2.5ft-3ft tall. The figures have vulnerable, child-like expressions. In fact, she bases their faces on her own. But their innocence doubles back, asking – how do we retain simplicity in a world of over-saturation?