Risa Quantumy
Galerie Oia – Hello Risa, nice to talk with you.
Risa Quantumy – Hello!
G.O. -During our first meeting, you told me about your need for freedom which led you from Japan to the United States in 2009…
Risa – Yes it’s true. I was born in Shimane Izumo, a city well known in Japan for being the land of the Gods, the spiritual cradle of Japan. There is one of most ancient and important shrine “Izumo Taisya” which is listed in Japan’s oldest history book “Kojiki”.
Then, I studied in Osaka and Tokyo to become a teacher. But I was really interested in leaving abroad and the culture of other countries since I was a child
G.O. – What kind of child were you?
Risa – I was a child who wondered what it means to be human.
As I observed myself, my peers, and adults, I began to notice human weaknesses and problems that needed to be addressed. Then, as I entered my twenties, the world I could see expanded, I met more people, and I gained more knowledge. But I realized that the human weaknesses and problems I noticed as a child would never change. And I started to feel bitter about living in this world.
Meanwhile, spending time interacting with music and art freed me from that bitterness.
It was a blissful time. Freed from social conventions. I felt truly free
G.O.– So that was why you started painting?
Risa – Actually no, at that time I didn’t officially produce anything myself: There was for me this idea that only a few people with a very special talent could create art. I could only enjoy it as a spectator. So I was seriously looking for my way, my goal and a way to live my life with more energy, with…more life!
G.O. – And what things brought you to this?
Risa.– This is my encounter with quantum physics! and then I also started exploring the worlds of astrophysics and Buddhism.
Once I became interested in it and started learning, the way I saw the world changed dramatically. And in 2019, I started painting.
G.O. – In 2019, I heard you had a trip that greatly impacted you?
R.Q. – Yes it’s true. With my partner, we wanted to go to Peru to visit the great Inca sites, great spiritual sites, places marked by history, incredible landscapes. We were supposed to stay two weeks and because of Covid, the borders closed and we had to stay almost eight months!
On the other hand, I had so many unexpected valuable moments and experiences. I was painting every day there, and all the inspiration came from those moments, and the energy of the wonderful people and the landscape around me. There, members of a Quechua tribe in Cuzco taught me the meaning of the word “Kunanmi” which is very important to them, which can be translated as “it is now”.
I felt they live on the word.
G.O– I understand that it was a truly meaningful time for you that deepened your personal philosophy: is this the purpose of creating art for you, of improving your relationship to the world?
Risa – Oui!
My relationship between art and life.
“The world is your world that you create yourself “
“The world is my world that I create myself “
Once It made sense for me from the bottom of my heart.
I started to live in a world made by my thoughts.
I carefully analyze my thoughts and concepts in great detail all the time
Sometimes It is not easy to change your beliefs or your concepts
Letting go of concepts that are unnecessary to my life is really meaningful
Because my thought is the only source of what creates my life.
However, negative emotions that we don’t want to feel are also an important part of creating a rich life: I don’t need to avoid negative feelings.
It’s dualism, nothing exists alone, both exist at the same time. White does not exist without black, we cannot avoid the “dark side” of our feelings. These different emotions, these different colors are the same! For a colorful life, we need all the emotions. This is what makes a world rich, complex, deep and interesting!
This is all that I experience and live through art and my painting. To create art is my precious tool to express and share my philosophy. I hope my art creates moments where people can feel unconditional love for existence!
G.O. – Thank you Risa for this interview and for the great energy that emanates from you!
Risa. – Merci !
