Ayako Rokkaku performing a live painting at VOLTA New York, 2020.
Ayako Rokkaku, born in 1982 in Chiba-shi, Japan, is a contemporary artist known for her vibrant, dreamlike paintings and distinctive working method. She began painting in 2002 and quickly developed a unique visual language entirely through self-teaching, without any formal academic training.
Rokkaku’s iconic style features large, mostly female figures with ambiguous facial expressions full of character. Vividly coloured backgrounds, surrounded with flowers, tiny figures and rainbow-like smears compose a colourful dream world. The large eyes and long arms of her characters fit within the Japanese manga style, while the bright colours and compositions are reminiscent of drawings made by children. Not coincidentally, Rokkaku always felt a great affinity for the imagination and lack of rules they embody.
A defining aspect of her work is her technique, in which she directly applies acrylic paint to the canvas using her bare hands, a style easily recognizable in the dynamic and lively compositions. Not limiting herself to traditional media, Rokkaku just as easily transforms pieces of used cardboard and vintage Louis Vuitton Trunks into colourful works of art. She particularly enjoys creating very large paintings of several meters wide and high. Frequently, she has performed live painting sessions at art fairs and exhibitions.
Her work has been exhibited extensively worldwide, with solo and group exhibitions world wide, further establishing her international reputation.
Selected artworks
Ayako Rokkaku
Untitled (ARP20-009), Acrylic on canvas
2020 , 60 x 90 cm
Ayako Rokkaku
Untitled (ARP20-009), Acrylic on canvas
2020 , 60 x 90 cm
Registered in the online catalogue of Gallery Delaive under reference number ARP20-009
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Ayako Rokkaku
Untitled (2012), Acrylic on cardboard
2012 , 54 x 82 cm
Ayako Rokkaku
Untitled (2012), Acrylic on cardboard
2012 , 54 x 82 cm
Registered in the online catalogue of Gallery Delaive under reference number (Untitled AR2012)
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Ayako Rokkaku
Untitled (ARP08-034), Acrylic on canvas
2008 , 130 x 190 cm
Ayako Rokkaku
Untitled (ARP08-034), Acrylic on canvas
2008 , 130 x 190 cm
Registered in the online catalogue of Gallery Delaive under reference number ARP08-034
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Nico Delaive first met Ayako Rokkaku at Volta Art Fair in Basel, Switzerland, in 2006. He was immediately drawn to her unique artistic approach and the expressive, finger-painted figures on cardboard. Although he did not acquire any works at that time, her practice left a lasting impression.
Later that year, Nico travelled to Japan at the invitation of Takashi Murakami, who encouraged him to visit an exhibition where Rokkaku was also presenting her work. Having arrived in Tokyo the day before, Nico went early to the fair before the official opening and found Rokkaku preparing her stand, surrounded by around forty of her iconic, wide-eyed characters. Struck by the strength and consistency of her work, he decided to acquire all the pieces on display and invited her to exhibit at his gallery in Amsterdam.
On that occasion, Nico made an exceptional commitment, one he would only make once in his career as a gallery owner: “I will buy everything you make from this moment”.
For the following sixteen years, he honoured this commitment, organising exhibitions, participating in international art fairs, and presenting her work in museum contexts around the world. This close and sustained collaboration played a significant role in the rapid international development of Rokkaku’s career, helping to establish her as a leading figure in contemporary painting.
Nico Delaive preparing blank canvases for Ayako Rokkaku’s paintings, 2008.
Archive & certification
Nico Delaive started representing Ayako Rokkaku in 2006, when he decided to acquire all the pieces on display and invited her to exhibit at his gallery in Amsterdam. Since then, Nico has worked extensively with her practice across multiple projects and exhibitions. The archive includes documentation of works on canvas, cardboard, limited editions, and other media such as ceramics and mixed-media works. The entries are presented chronologically, covering the period from 2006 to 2021.
If you would like to submit an artwork for immediate review or request official documentation of one of the works, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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