Hi! I am Aiko Fukuda, a Japanese Multidisciplinary Artist and Illustrator based in Tokyo. I was born and raised in Chiba, Japan and moved to Boston after finishing high school. I graduated from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts with a B.A. in Graphic Design. After completing my studies in the U.S. I returned to Tokyo where I began working as the in-house Graphic Designer for luxury concepts stores, and as Art Director for a Japanese tech company. At the same time, I continued my love for drawing where I find peace and serenity. In 2014 I decided to say goodbye to the corporate world and embarked on my biggest challenge yet - as a full-time illustrator.

My work has always been rooted in my childhood memories. My mom and older sister were very fashionable, I loved to sneak into their closets and wear their hand-me-downs. I cut and sewed clothes to fit my body, always thinking of different ways to wear them. This experience nurtured my creativity, and the value of "timeless beauty that transcends generations" that resides in objects became the foundation for my subsequent creative work as a visual artist.

My playfulness is also manifested in my creations. I mix analog and digital tools to create my illustrations with the warmth of human touch. In 2019, I was the first Japanese woman to be selected as an Adobe Creative Resident, and since then I have been pushing the boundaries of my artwork to incorporate technology using AR (Augmented Reality) and mixed media in a 3D context. My AR work "AR VIRTUAL GARDEN" which utilizes Adobe Aero was selected for DESIGN TREND 2021. My lifelong research into "What is possible with my illustrations" is bridging paper and technology and creating new ways of communication.

福田愛子　イラストレーター & アーティスト
ブリッジウォーター州立大学芸術学部グラフィックデザイン学科卒業。帰国後企業のインハウスグラフィックデザイナーとしてキャリアをスタートさせる。その後IT企業のアートディレクター・マニラ駐在員と激動の４年間を過ごし退社し、イラストレーターとして自身の未知なる挑戦と人生の冒険に舵を切った。愛子は幼少時代からファッションに興味を持ち、母や姉から譲り受けた洋服たちを自分流にアレンジして着るのが好きな子どもだった。ものに宿る「世代を超えたタイムレスな美」の価値観が、後にアーティストとして生きる彼女のクリエイションの基盤となる。

近年ではAR（拡張現実）を導入し、イラストとテクノロジーを融合させた表現方法を追求中。現在は東京と海外の２拠点で活動し、２０１８年にニューヨークで個展、２０１９年には日本人女性で初めての「アドビクリエイティブレジデント」に選出された。また最近ではAdobe Aeroを駆使したAR作品「AR VIRTUAL GARDEN」が DESGIN TREND ２０２１に選ばれ、Fitchburg State Universityなどの海外大学や国内外のイベントでゲストスピーカー・特別講師も務める。

AWARD

2018　Nominated for Gmund Award, Germany

2017　Winner for Make it on Mobile by Adobe, USA

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

2022　ANB Studio Program, Tokyo, Japan

2019　Adobe Creative Residency, San Francisco, USA

EXHIBITION

2022　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Epilogue ⇄ Prologue Platform 29.8", ANB Gallery

2022　Tokyo, Group exhibition "ANB Open Studio Vol.4", ANB Gallery

2019　Tokyo, Adobe MAX JAPAN Installation "Wonder Chamber", Pacifico Yokohama Convention Center

2019　New York, Charity Auction "Art for Tibet", Gallery 8 NYC

2019　Los Angeles, Adobe MAX LA Solo Installation "Drawn Room", Los Angeles Convention Center

2019　Tokyo, Live Art "Today at Apple x The Big Draw", Apple Marunouchi

2019　New York, Group Exhibition "55Kids Day" by Copelus, SBC Art Gallery Brooklyn

2019　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Year of the Boar" by NiyaNiya Studio, Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Japan

2018　Tokyo, Collaboration Exhibition "Aiko Fukuda x Urban Research", Omotesando Hills

2018　New York, Solo Exhibition "Shape of Love", SBC Art Gallery Brooklyn

2017　Tokyo, Solo Exhibition "Cabinet of Curiosities" sponsored by Faber-Castell, Tokyo Midtown

2017　Tokyo, Live Art "Today at Apple", Apple Ginza

2017　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Karuta Ichi", Winged Wheel Aoyama Showroom

2017　Tokyo, Solo Exhibition "New Standard Legacy", Clothier Shibuya

2017　Tokyo, Solo Exhibition "Fashion Laboratory", L'illustre Galerie LE MONDE

2016　Tokyo, Group Exhibition Fashion Trade Show "Rooms", National Yoyogi Studium

2016　Tokyo, Collaboration Exhibition "Pas de Trois Dans le Salon" by repetto, Burnish Salon

2016　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Atelie Ebi Omo", Meguro Museum of Art

2015　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Love Drawing Vol.1", L'illustre Galerie LE MONDE

2014　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Present Graphic Expression", Recto Verso Gallery

2012　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Act Art Award 2012", The Art Complex Center of Tokyo

2012　Tokyo, Charity Exhibition "Thumbhole", Hiroshige Gallery

2011　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Atelier Omo3 Kawashima Dojo", Hiroshige Gallery, Tokyo

2010　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Chiyoda Art 3331 Independents", 3331 Arts Chiyoda

2010　Tokyo, Group Exhibition "Atelier Ebi Omo", Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo

TODAY AT APPLE