Upcoming Exhibition

Kay Watanabe —
Psithurism — Whispering of trees

Jul 30 – Aug 7, 2026

About the Artist      

Psithurism—the sound of wind moving through trees—grew from my long-standing interest in the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world. For more than a decade, my practice has explored this relationship through questions of sustainability, evolution and our place within living ecosystems.

This body of work comprises printmaking, works on paper and small ceramic objects. Each piece has been made by hand, as the tactile nature of these processes is central to my practice, enjoying the slow rhythms of making.

The works began through time spent walking in nature—observing shifting light and wind, listening to birds chirping, and collected the plants, twigs and stones that eventually became motifs for my works. Back in the studio, I transformed these observations into abstract visual forms, that move beyond specific places or objects. 

Sometimes I worked alone at home; at other times I shared ideas and conversations with fellow artists in printmaking and ceramics studios. Rather than relying on bold gestures, fluorescent colours or slogans, my work communicates quietly. I hope these works resonate with those who, like me, approach the environment with respect, curiosity and a desire for deeper connection.

As digital technologies and artificial intelligence become increasingly present in everyday life, I find myself reflecting on what these changes mean for both artistic practice and our relationship with nature. I still dream of an ideal, balanced, and almost idyllic life in which I can connect with nature and enjoy the modern comforts afforded us without becoming reliant on it. 

While many people are responding to these changes by learning new technologies, I found myself drawn in the opposite direction, by beginning the ancient practice of ceramics. I belong to a generation that spent childhood outdoors, playing in the dirt, being muddy, generally experiencing the world through our senses rather than through screens. Working with clay feels like a continuation of that experience. Although ceramics has existed for centuries, it has opened up new possibilities within my practice, inviting me to think three-dimensionally after more than thirty years of working primarily through the two-dimensional language of printmaking.

Rather than replacing printmaking, ceramics has become an extension of my practice. I have enjoyed the playfulness, and I am curious about what I can create through the two mediums.

About the Artist

Kay Watanabe

Originally from Tokyo, Kay Watanabe is a Brisbane-based visual artist whose practice centres on printmaking, while increasingly encompassing ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, collage and artist books.

Her work explores the relationship between humanity and the environment, drawing on the intertwined histories of people and place through nuanced investigations of colour, form and texture. Trees, plants, corals, shells, stones, earth and water recur throughout her practice as enduring motifs that reflect cycles of growth, change and connection.

Kay has exhibited extensively throughout Australia and internationally, and teaches printmaking across Queensland and beyond. In 2026, she presents solo exhibitions in Brisbane and Melbourne, with plans for her third solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2027.