As part of her photographic body cutting series Hikaru Miyakawa produced a set of images for a project in Geneva which involved cutting a "brand image" into her own flesh in a carnal form of expression, shockingly embodying an extreme pursuit of fashion. In recent years, Miyakawa has focused her practice on simulations of tattoos. Here she collects the patterns of tattoos found on the backs of others and reinterprets them through the medium of embroidery and photography. Despite being out of sight, these tattoos act as guardian deities to their owner, nurturing life like the sun. And in this way, as Miyakawa converts the invisible into the visible, she also reveals the fundamental themes which lurk within. 

As she moves from her early self-cutting works to rest her focus upon the tattoos of others, it may seem she has taken an about-turn, however, the Miyakawa who pushes to the extremes of the imperceptible terrain of the flesh, remains unchanged.
- Toshiharu Shioiri (Art Collector)

*image (left)
courtesy of the artist