“I aim at the expression to individualize energy with simple composition.”
Since childhood, KIYORA has been drawn to the quiet intimacy of working with paper. What began as a childhood fascination—cutting, shaping, and transforming sheets of paper—has evolved into a profound means of artistic expression. Today, she continues to explore the tactile beauty of paper, finding inspiration in its textures, the meditative rhythm of cutting, and the way each cut breathes new life into the material.
KIYORA’s creative process begins long before the blade touches the paper. She starts with careful sketching, exploring the interplay of black and white, the rhythm of lines, and the overall harmony of the composition. This preparatory stage often takes more time than the cutting itself, as she refines the balance and flow of the work. Once the design is complete, she overlays it onto black paper, anchoring the corners with tape, and begins the meditative act of cutting through both layers.
Though paper cutting is often viewed as a precise and demanding task, KIYORA experiences it as liberating—comparable to performing a piece of music. With focused attention and fluid motion, each cut becomes a note in a larger composition. Through this process, she seeks to distill and express a distinct energy—minimal in form, yet rich in presence.
“I loved paper cutouts ever since I was a child, and I often lost track of time playing with them.”
KIYORA works primarily in black and white, drawn to the quiet tension that lives between contrast. In her eyes, life is shaped by opposites—strength and delicacy, light and shadow, motion and stillness. These are not conflicts, but coexisting forces that give form to the world. Through her paper cutouts, she explores this delicate balance, seeking to capture the quiet energy that flows where contrasts meet. Her works are not just images, but moments where opposites hold each other in harmony.
With a background in architecture, KIYORA brings a deep understanding of form, space, and rhythm to her art. The precision and balance she once applied to structures now guide the flow of her paper cutouts. Her work explores the invisible energies that shape our world—shifting, pulsing, and quietly alive. Through stark black and white contrasts, she captures the tension where light meets darkness, giving form to what is often felt but unseen. Her pieces have been shown in Tokyo, New York, and London, resonating with viewers across cultures.
“I seek the yin-yang balance of the place where I find this ‘beautiful darkness’ in my creation.”
KIYORA’s creative process begins with fleeting inner visions—images charged with rhythm, energy, and quiet beauty. These impressions are not immediately fixed; instead, they evolve through a series of sketches, each drawing her closer to a composition that feels intuitively complete. Only when the image seems to breathe on its own does she begin the final act of cutting.
Her most inspired hours often arrive in the stillness between dusk and dawn, when the world softens and her inner landscape sharpens. Music, especially UK rock, is a constant companion during this time—fueling her focus and shaping the tempo of her hands. For KIYORA, the act of cutting is not tense but meditative, a steady rhythm that grounds her in the present and transforms concentration into calm.
“I am not a very good writer, so I aim to visualize that ‘beautiful darkness’ in my art.”
KIYORA remains committed to her artistic vision, regardless of external opinion. Rather than adapting to trends or expectations, she continues to develop a deeply personal aesthetic grounded in clarity, contrast, and conviction. Presenting her work internationally has offered a profound sense of connection—one that transcends language and culture—affirming the universal power of visual expression.
Her creative philosophy centers on energy, rhythm, and spatial sensitivity—qualities she refers to as “beautiful darkness.” Influenced by literature, particularly the works of Dazai Osamu, Yukio Mishima, and Gabriel García Márquez, she is drawn to the way language can elevate even somber themes into something hauntingly beautiful. Childhood hardships made literature a vital refuge for her, and today, she channels those same emotional currents into visual form. Through paper-cutting, she seeks to mirror the poetic tension between light and shadow, delicacy and strength—a visual echo of the yin and yang that shaped her earliest inspirations.
To explore my most recent works, please visit the online gallery.
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