Exploring Emotion and Connection Through WAKANA's Art at ADF Gallery

ADF Art Gallery Project Vol.44: WAKANA's Solo Exhibition

From June 22 to July 6, 2026, ADF (NPO Aoyama Design Forum) proudly presents the 44th ADF Art Gallery Project featuring the solo exhibition of artist WAKANA, titled "i c m y" at GARDE Gallery in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. This exhibition invites visitors to explore the nuances of changing emotions and interpersonal relationships through WAKANA's latest works.

The title of the exhibition, "i c m y," signifies “unwavering colors.” The primary colors—Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow—are independent entities that serve as a source of diverse colors. WAKANA draws parallels between these fundamental colors and human existence, illustrating how individuals coexist with one another.

Living amidst the value systems, words, and environments of others can lead to new perspectives and opportunities. However, it can also cause one to lose sight of their true contours while attempting to conform to external influences. In this exhibition, WAKANA focuses on the mutual existence of "self" and "the primary colors," seeking the essence of pure color through various textures and expressions in her artwork.

Born in 1998 in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, WAKANA began her artistic journey in 2022. Her works reflect emotions that have been suppressed, depicting the gradual weathering of these feelings over time. The complexities of human relationships, while providing support through connections, can also breed troubles and internal conflicts. When delving into the roots of this emotional turmoil, individuals often return to their past, touching upon their origins. Time advances continuously towards the future; however, emotions and thoughts travel freely across past, present, and future.

The exhibition emphasizes the "process" and "PROGRESS" of these intangible elements, illustrating the intersections between time and emotion. WAKANA’s exploration of interpersonal distances mirrors the act of observing her balloon-themed artworks. The relationship between adjacent balloons influences the information captured in her art—the play of light and the overlapping of balloons alter their intensity. This metaphorically speaks to how human interactions are equally impacted by their surroundings, suggesting that the context and space shape individual experiences.

Exhibition Details:

- Opening Reception: June 22, 2026, from 18:00 to 20:00 (open to all)
- Exhibition Dates: June 22 to July 6, 2026
- Gallery Hours: 11:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 on the final day)
- Venue: GARDE Gallery, 4F NBF ALLIANCE Building, 5-2-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Closed on: Sundays and Public Holidays

WAKANA’s artistic voice, infused with personal experiences and emotional depth, raises meaningful questions about the self, relationships, and the world around us. Visitors are encouraged to engage with her work, contemplating the layers of perception that define human connection.