Saturday Lunch Time

Mayumi Nakao often finds inspiration in old photos of friends and artworks. “Since I often imagine the atmosphere of the early 1990s, I find inspiration in American sitcoms, films, interior design books from that era and various aspects of everyday life, such as conversations with friends, scenes I see while walking and experiences while traveling. In addition, New York has numerous museums and art galleries where I can view works by various artists, which provides me with plenty of inspiration. The challenge and curiosity to incorporate such inspiration into my work or to try something new in my next work are now important drivers.”

This painting captures a cozy moment in the daily life of a mother and son in Brooklyn, New York. “It was inspired by a childhood photo of a friend of mine who grew up in Brooklyn. The photo shows him as a child with his mother,” says Mayumi. She has a close relationship with the family and often comes to eat there herself.

The scene shows a Saturday afternoon when they ordered Chinese food and put it on the table. In New York City, it is common to have food delivered or picked up in paper containers, and Chinese food is a popular, affordable option. This painting is not just about a meal. It reflects the unique culture of Brooklyn. “With this artwork, I hope to share an enchanting moment from everyday life in New York and evoke warm nostalgic feelings.”

Mayumi particularly enjoys painting meal scenes. Through food, you can feel the atmosphere of a household, the culture of a country, and even the era. Mayumi hopes that viewers can freely imagine themselves while looking at her work. For example, imagining yourself at the table, or thinking back to your own childhood with recognizable characters.

The loneliness Mayumi felt when she moved from Japan to the United States alone was profoundly transformed when she saw family photos of her friends in New York. The feelings of love and connection with family and friends, passed down from parent to child and from person to person, do not differ based on race, culture or country: they form a common bond that humanity shares and that transcends time and space. In her art, she expresses this as shared nostalgia.

“I like to add small details. By using familiar characters and product packaging, viewers can identify with them. Adding nostalgic colors and everyday objects creates a sense of familiarity, which makes it easier for viewers to immerse themselves in the painting.”

Mayumi Nakao (1985, Japan) held her first solo exhibition in New York in 2022. In 2023, she also had a solo exhibition in Tokyo. She has also participated in numerous group exhibitions. In 2023, she was selected as one of ten finalists for the Women Figurative Realist Painters category of the Bennett Prize, which focuses on female artists in the United States, and exhibited her work at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Michigan.