SAKURA MOTOMURA

"For this exhibition I was inspired by such things as the natural world and natural phenomena around WA, suburban spectacle, the waters and reefs around Rottnest Island - Walyalup, as well as the raw elements of drawing and painting, internal and external forces. The Moores Building art space is the first gallery I ever exhibited my work. I was 15 at the time, and it was an exhibition of pieces by students and tutors in the Special Art extra-curricular program at Applecross Senior High School. Now, after an extensive period living and working in Japan, I find myself exhibiting in the same space once again."

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Sakura Motomura is a contemporary artist working in mixed media, installation and performance. This includes a long-term practice in painting and 2D but also spatial 3D pieces and video. She has participated in various exhibitions in both indoor and openair settings.

She grew up around Fremantle and Perth, Western Australia before traveling to the Eastern States and relocating to Japan in 2010. This began an extensive period in Japan where she lived and worked before moving back to Australia in 2023. Her work is influenced by her roots as well as her encounters of both countries.

Glass, paper, rock I, 2025

Pencil and ink on paper
59.4 x 42cm

For this artwork series, I was inspired by the proverb, “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”. Meaning that those who are themselves in precarious situations, should not judge others so readily. In the world in which we live, people are so quick to condemn and attack others, however our shared humanity is essentially flawed. The work also connects with the game rock, paper, scissors as a reminder of the contradictory relationships between the elements, as well as with one another.

Glass, paper, rock IV, 2025

Glass, paper, rock V, 2025

Glass, paper, rock III, 2025

Glass, paper, rock II, 2025

The Current, 2025

watercolor and ink on linen
150 x 220cm

For this piece I was inspired by the reef as well as the azure and emerald waters around Rottnest Island WA where I love to swim. There is a natural phenomenon known as the Leeuwin Current that brings warmer waters around the island creating ideal conditions for coral reefs to grow. In fact, it is one of the southern-most locations where they are found, and can be seen forming in patches here and there. As coral reefs continue to be threatened, perhaps this is one location where they will be able to flourish in the future.

Suburban Jungle, 2025

watercolor and ink on linen
183 x 183cm

This artwork features a familiar scene of flora found in the vernacular urban and suburban landscapes around Perth. I didn’t notice it so much until returning to Australia after a long period living in Japan. The colour bursts are so startling and so intense that it is even difficult to represent them artistically. Known as bougainvillea, the plants are originally from the biome of the Amazon rainforest. Their tenacity and hardiness as well as vibrant colour has influenced their popularity and spread around urban spaces and gardens. At the same time, they have terrible long thorns laced with an irritant poison. Blooming in contradiction in this suburban paradise. For various reasons, this artwork was particularly satisfying to create.