THEO will host Mio Yamato's solo exhibition, Under my skin from February 14 to March 22, 2025.

Mio Yamato (b. 1990, Japan) was born in Shiga, Japan, in 1990 and is currently based in Kyoto. She earned her MFA from Kyoto University of Art and Design. Yamato has participated in numerous exhibitions and projects, primarily in Japan, and has recently participated in an artist residency program at Casa Wabi in Mexico. She also had her solo show in Connecticut, USA. Her works have been acquired by museums in Japan, marking her as one of the promising emerging artists to watch. In the early stages of her career, Yamato developed the DOT and LINE series, focusing on the project composed of simple and minimal elements such as dots and lines. Her works reflect themes of life itself, drawing inspiration from the behavior of cells, the accumulation of geological layers, and the growth rings of trees.

In recent years, her practice has expanded to explore themes of existence and life through time, perception, and phenomena encountered on Earth. This has given rise to series such as Breath, which captures traces of respiration in two-dimensional spaces, and Spectrum, an exploration of the play and presence of natural light. This exhibition focuses on Under my skin, one of her diverse series, and marks Yamato's first solo exhibition in South Korea. Under my skin is a series that begins with observing her blood cells under an optical microscope. By studying the changing forms of blood cells over time and under different physical conditions, Yamato depicts the rich diversity of life and activity within the human body. The works in this series feature collages of blood cells observed under various magnifications and circumstances recreated with paint on canvas. These visuals, reminiscent of microbial chains or a star-filled night sky, suggest a connection between the microcosm and macrocosm of life and existence. Additionally, the exhibition will debut a new series titled a drop of blood, which delves into the various phases and transitions of a single drop of blood. A large-scale installation using organza to depict images from Under my skin will also be presented. We invite you to explore this exhibition, where diverse facets of the world intersect, and we hope you enjoy the experience.

Artist Statement

Under my skin is an exploration of life's shared vitality through the blood motif, aiming to depict our intricate world. Blood, which sustains our lives, circulates ceaselessly through our bodies, delivering nutrients and oxygen to every tissue. Red blood cells, numbering approximately 200 billion per day, are constantly renewed to fulfil this essential role. I observe a single drop of blood under a microscope. Fresh blood is filled with plump, round cells that flow gracefully. This dynamic beauty evokes a profound connection to the natural world— like the river's flow, the dappled sunlight through trees, the surface of the Earth, and the stars shining in distant galaxies—all interconnected as part of a greater whole. I am deeply moved by the idea that such vast landscapes can be imagined from a single drop of blood. Drawing on this sense of wonder, I capture countless images of blood cells under varying magnifications and time-lapse conditions, compiling these into collages. Each cell is meticulously painted in red, layer by layer. Your blood and mine both carry the history of life. This history includes memories of conflict, but it also binds us together inextricably. Blood continually regenerates through metabolic cycles, undergoing endless transformation.

I invite you to imagine this world connected through blood. Reflect on the ever-evolving future that changes incrementally over time, like metabolism. For this exhibition, THEO's gallery space will be transformed into an infinite cosmic realm, showcasing works exclusively from the Under my skin series.

"Under my skin"

My life is connected

To flowers, trees, and rivers

To nature

To the Earth

To the universe

To a million years of existence

And to you