Sayako Hiroi

Sayako Hiroi is a visual artist known for her abstract works. Born in Japan and currently based in the United States, she completed a Master of Fine Arts at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston.

Sayako’s work is characterized by a deep exploration of identity and the relationship between the West and East throughout history, often blurring the lines between the internal and external worlds.

“My paintings navigate the boundary between figuration and abstraction, marked by contoured fragmented bodies with undulating forms and textures. Expressive brush strokes emanate from a wellspring of emotions, reflecting experiences of humiliation and a sense of worthlessness perpetuated by social constraints. To challenge Japanese female stereotypes, I draw upon Ukiyo-e traditions as an act of resistance. Through deconstructing figures, historical motifs, and images reinforcing societal constraints, I internalize and transform them. Having experienced the fetishization of Asian females in the U.S. and Europe, I utilize abstract figuration to shed light on the challenges faced by Japanese women. By exploring the invisible suffocation, I aim to question the enduring tropes of submission, flipping power dynamics to create spaces where women can emancipate themselves from social and cultural strangleholds.”

Follow the artist along: www.sayakohiroi.com
Sayako is featured inside the Spring 2025 Edition of the Art Seen.