Rui Matsunaga (b.1968, Japan) is a Japanese artist who trained at the Royal Academy of Arts Schools and Central Saint Martin’s in London before returning to Japan. With solo exhibitions across the UK, including at prestigious venues like the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in London and the Atkinson in Southport, Matsunaga has garnered international acclaim. Her intricate oil paintings on plywood draw from influences as diverse as folklore, mythology, and early Japanese scroll paintings, embodying a fusion of Renaissance aesthetics and contemporary manga films. Through her art, Matsunaga explores the interconnectedness of humans and nature, advocating for a respectful animist sensibility towards all living beings.

Matsunaga’s work serves as a visual narrative of our complex relationships with the natural world, challenging notions of superiority over other species. Her paintings, populated with a whimsical cast of creatures, function as metaphors for the interconnectedness of all life forms. Rejecting exploitation in favor of a spiritual connection to nature, Matsunaga’s art encourages contemplation of our place within the cosmic order, inviting viewers to reconsider their role in preserving the delicate balance of the environment.