Born in Japan and growing up in Tokyo, I was surrounded by modern urban development, but at the same time, I was influenced by traditional Japanese culture and naturalist philosophy. This juxtaposition between East and West, traditional and contemporary, would be the environment that served as the foundation for my future work as a painter.
As a young adult, I came to New York City, where I studied at The National Academy of Fine Art. Instructed by Sharon Sprung, I honed my skills in drawing. Upon finishing my study, I went back to Japan, but after several years, I found myself missing the diverse culture of New York City. Moving back to New York, I worked briefly as a studio assistant for Hiro Yokose. After leaving, I started painting by myself, embarking on a personal journey that continues to this day.
In the midst of this journey, I met my future husband. We were married and currently live in Jersey City, New Jersey. Today, my paintings are influenced by Japanese culture, along with the diverse international culture and nature found in the United States.
As a young adult, I came to New York City, where I studied at The National Academy of Fine Art. Instructed by Sharon Sprung, I honed my skills in drawing. Upon finishing my study, I went back to Japan, but after several years, I found myself missing the diverse culture of New York City. Moving back to New York, I worked briefly as a studio assistant for Hiro Yokose. After leaving, I started painting by myself, embarking on a personal journey that continues to this day.
In the midst of this journey, I met my future husband. We were married and currently live in Jersey City, New Jersey. Today, my paintings are influenced by Japanese culture, along with the diverse international culture and nature found in the United States.
Sunflower, Oil, Acrylic and Oil Stick 18x24 in.
Press
"Sachiyo Tokumoto, one of the revelations of the Crawl, displayed a roomful of oil paintings that achieved the luminous quality of stained glass and the tensile strength of a row of girders. Her works reinforce the Jersey suspicion that everything we see in the natural world has been built by somebody. “Trees in the Backyard,” a suburban scene, feels both still and bucolic and immensely energetic: dense foliage with leaves like overlapping bird’s wings, serrated-edged lines buzzing from one corner of the canvas to another, and splashes and streaks of color that suggest a racing sun. A house in the background testifies to human presence. Its inhabitants might be enjoying the summer day. But with every angled branch and wind-swept leaf, Tokumoto reminds them — and us — that no wall is a bulwark against the advance of time."
-Tris McCall
Jersey City Times
July 23, 2024
https://jcitytimes.com/excitement-dread-and-idiosyncrasy-on-the-downtown-art-crawl/
"Sachiyo Tokumoto, one of the revelations of the Crawl, displayed a roomful of oil paintings that achieved the luminous quality of stained glass and the tensile strength of a row of girders. Her works reinforce the Jersey suspicion that everything we see in the natural world has been built by somebody. “Trees in the Backyard,” a suburban scene, feels both still and bucolic and immensely energetic: dense foliage with leaves like overlapping bird’s wings, serrated-edged lines buzzing from one corner of the canvas to another, and splashes and streaks of color that suggest a racing sun. A house in the background testifies to human presence. Its inhabitants might be enjoying the summer day. But with every angled branch and wind-swept leaf, Tokumoto reminds them — and us — that no wall is a bulwark against the advance of time."
-Tris McCall
Jersey City Times
July 23, 2024
https://jcitytimes.com/excitement-dread-and-idiosyncrasy-on-the-downtown-art-crawl/