Miwa Komatsu. Beyond the Eyes

The first solo exhibition in Europe dedicated to the Japanese artist Miwa Komatsu takes visitors on a journey into a visionary universe, where art, spirituality and nature intertwine through images of extraordinary intensity.

Created in a state of semi-trance and without preparatory sketches, the works arise from a daily meditative practice intended as a connection between the visible and the invisible. Creatures inspired by Japanese mythology, folklore and spiritual tradition – guardian spirits and sacred animals – emerge from a whirlwind of colours, establishing a direct dialogue with the audience through the gaze.

The exhibition, curated by Nora Segreto, brings together some thirty works created between 2012 and 2026, some of which were created specifically for the MUSEC venue in Lugano. The exhibition comprises mainly acrylic paintings on canvas and wood, alongside works in wood, porcelain and resin. At the heart of Miwa Komatsu’s artistic practice lies a desire to make perceptible the invisible forces – spiritual, emotional and natural – that permeate human beings and the living world. The artwork thus becomes a space where the artist, the viewer and the community meet, reaffirming the power of art as a transformative experience and as an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with nature.

The project has been conceived, developed and produced by the Fondazione Culture e Musei and MUSEC in collaboration with Fudo Co., Ltd, Tokyo.