Introduction
Mayu Ikeda is a Japanese contemporary digital artist who creates all of her artworks exclusively using a smartphone.
Since beginning her artistic practice in 2017, she has developed a distinctive visual language that merges digital expression with traditional Japanese aesthetics, while addressing themes of peace, sustainability, and cultural continuity.
Her work challenges conventional assumptions about artistic tools and creative processes, demonstrating that profound artistic expression can emerge from the most minimal means.
Artistic Practice & Philosophy
Ikeda’s practice is grounded in the belief that art transcends language, borders, and technology.
By deliberately limiting her tools to a single smartphone, she allows intuition, speed, and emotion to guide her creative process.
Her works frequently explore universal themes such as peace, climate action, coexistence, and the invisible connections between people, culture, and nature.
Through digital art, fashion, projection mapping, and collaborative performances, she seeks to build bridges between tradition and innovation.
Career Highlights
Early Recognition (2017–2019)
Ikeda began her career as a digital artist in 2017.
In 2018, artworks created entirely on her smartphone gained rapid attention on social media, generating over one million engagements within a single month.
That same year, she was selected by Nikkei Inc. as a Key Opinion Leader representing a new generation of innovators, contributing a series of columns published on Nikkei’s digital platform.
In 2019, her work was presented through projection mapping exhibitions and public talk sessions that explored the future of art in the post-digital era.
International Exhibitions & Global Platforms (2020–2022)
From 2020 onward, Ikeda expanded her activities onto the international stage.
She participated in forums hosted by major research institutions and collaborated with writers, musicians, and designers across disciplines.
In 2022, she represented digital artists at Expo 2020 Dubai (Austria Pavilion), delivering a speech on peace and sustainability as part of Digital Art for Climate / Music for SDGs.
She was also invited to United Nations–related conferences in Dubai, further establishing her presence on global cultural platforms.
That same year, she held major participatory exhibitions at Tokyo Tower, combining digital art, fashion, NFTs, and traditional craftsmanship, and was selected as the sole artist for a large-scale public art installation.
Fashion, Film & Cultural Diplomacy (2023–2024)
During this period, Ikeda’s work increasingly intersected with fashion, film, and cultural diplomacy.
She collaborated with international fashion designers and participated in major global fashion weeks, including Paris, Milan, London, and New York Fashion Week, presenting digital artworks translated into wearable forms such as scarves and kimono textiles.
Her artistic contributions were featured in international media outlets, including Arab News, and she was invited to present works for royal and diplomatic audiences in the Middle East.
In parallel, she contributed to film projects showcased at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving official acknowledgment for her artistic collaboration.
Recent Activities & Ongoing Projects (2025– )
In recent years, Ikeda has continued to present her work at international galleries, museums, and United Nations–affiliated events, including exhibitions in New York, Paris, Shanghai, and at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Her practice has expanded into large-scale visual productions, projection mapping for internationally sponsored performances, and collaborative projects that integrate cutting-edge technology with traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
She remains actively engaged in projects that explore art as a form of cultural dialogue, aiming to create works that resonate across generations and borders.
Selected Fields of Work
- Digital Art (Smartphone-based)
- Painting & Mixed Media
- Projection Mapping & Visual Design
- Fashion & Textile Art
- NFTs & Web3 Art Projects
- Public Art & Participatory Installations