Akiko Usami was born in Japan and studied at the University of East London and the Royal College of Art. Her paintings are an attempt to transform the rhythm, movement and sensation evoked by sound into a tangible and physical object. The repeating lines produce a calm, melodic, almost hypnotic, effect.. Of her own work Usami has written ‘My intention is to use a controlled spontaneity to build up sensation. By retaining the qualities of being consciously ‘handmade’ a human element is introduced; the physical activity of painting and the passage of time involved during the process become important factors in order to create a perceptual experience which goes beyond the purely optical.’

akikousami.com