Ayako Rokkaku: Moments you feel Paradise – First Solo Exhibition at Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

This exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum presents the first solo show in Spain by Japanese artist Ayako Rokkaku. It features a selection of twenty-nine works created between 2001 and 2025, showcasing her unique finger-painting technique and her fascination with abstract art inspired by figures like Jackson Pollock and Cy Twombly.

As part of the programme devoted to the Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is pleased to present the first exhibition in Spain dedicated to the work of Ayako Rokkaku. Born in Chiba, Japan, and now working between Berlin, Porto, and Tokyo, Rokkaku has been painting from childhood and developed a unique artistic practice in her twenties. Inspired by abstract expressionists such as Jackson Pollock and Cy Twombly, her work incorporates figurative elements like large eyes and fantastical creatures amidst ever-changing, multicoloured clouds, which she uses to represent transience. These motifs are also a deliberate homage to Tintoretto's _Paradise_, a work housed within the museum's own collection, and give the exhibition its evocative title. For Rokkaku, 'Paradise' is not a static destination but an ephemeral, fleeting sensation. Rokkaku's distinctive approach involves painting directly with her fingers, eschewing brushes to connect with a primal, tactile mode of creation, reminiscent of prehistoric art and shared by artists like Miró and Pollock. This method allows her to recapture a sense of childhood freedom and serve as a basic channel for receiving and transmitting energy. Her creative process is largely improvised and spontaneous, with initial ideas often transforming significantly during the act of painting. This dynamic interest in process has also led her to engage in live painting performances, where she immerses herself in the act of creation with serene concentration. These time-bound performances are seen by the artist as a way to capture the value of the present moment, the very essence of the feeling of Paradise.

Ticket information and booking details for general public admission can be found via the museum's official channels. Visitors are directed to the museum's ticketing website for specific entry requirements and options, including museum entry and potential audio guide packages for exhibitions. The exhibition is part of the museum's programming, suggesting it may be included with general admission or require a specific ticket type depending on current museum policies.