At the Kitchen, 2021

Provenance: Irena Hochman Fine Art Ltd.; acquired from the above by the current owner, 2023.

Mayumi Nakao’s practice centres on carefully observed figurative painting, depicting intimate domestic scenes that explore themes of memory, identity, and everyday life. Her work is characterised by a precise, almost illustrative style, combined with a sensitive use of colour and pattern that brings attention to the textures and rhythms of interior spaces.

In At the Kitchen (2021), a young figure is positioned within a brightly detailed domestic setting, surrounded by patterned tiles, everyday objects, and food items that evoke a sense of routine and familiarity. The composition balances clarity and stillness, with the subject’s quiet presence anchoring the scene. Through this attentive rendering of both figure and environment, Nakao captures the subtle emotional atmosphere of the everyday, transforming a simple moment into a reflection on care, presence, and lived experience.