Miwa Komatsu

Divine beasts gather in a transcendent silkscreen print by Miwa Komatsu.

Miwa is personally and artistically guided by a deeply spiritual outlook. Central to much of her practice is the wolf-like Komainu, a mythical creature from Japanese folklore, revered as a guardian of sacred spaces and protector against evil spirits.

In Innocent Days and Wishes, Miwa depicts a family of such creatures. At the centre, two children embody the elements of water and spatial energy. A porcelain Komainu in the British Museum’s collection inspired Miwa’s hand finishing of each of the prints with elemental colours – red, white and blue. 

Each print is accompanied by The Great Harmonisation — an illustrated poetry book that introduces the conceptual framework of Miwa’s work.