Japanese artist Mari Ito presents her first solo exhibition in India with Origin of Desire, opening from 24 April to 1 May 2026 at The Ballroom, Bikaner House, New Delhi. Presented by GEEK/ART New Delhi, the exhibition introduces Ito’s distinctive visual language through a series of sculptural works and paintings that explore organic forms and surreal imagery.
A Debut Exhibition in India
Origin of Desire marks Mari Ito’s first solo presentation in India. Currently based in Barcelona, the artist brings together a body of work that reflects her evolving practice across mediums. The exhibition is hosted at The Ballroom, Bikaner House, a prominent cultural venue in New Delhi known for showcasing contemporary art and design.
Exploring Organic and Surreal Worlds
Ito’s works depict a vivid landscape of surreal flowers, biomorphic structures, and human-like forms. Her compositions feature seeds, pods, and cellular motifs that evoke growth and transformation. Through luminous colour fields and layered textures, the exhibition constructs a world where desire appears as a generative and constantly shifting force.
Rooted in Nihonga Traditions
View this post on Instagram
Ito’s practice draws from traditional Nihonga techniques, a classical Japanese painting method. She works with pigments, sumi ink, and nikawa applied on Oguni washi paper. This approach maintains the precision of Japanese craftsmanship while allowing her to expand its visual possibilities into contemporary contexts.
Themes of Desire and Transformation
The exhibition positions desire as a primal and expansive force. Ito’s imagery resists fixed boundaries, presenting hybrid forms that mutate and evolve. Her work suggests a fluid interplay between the erotic, psychological, and biological, offering a layered interpretation of inner and external realities.
Feminist and Avant-Garde Influences
Ito’s work engages with Japanese surrealism and folkloric animism, while also reflecting post-war avant-garde movements. Her approach reclaims decorative and floral motifs, often associated with femininity, as spaces of transformation and political meaning. This perspective aligns her practice with broader feminist discourses in contemporary art.
Highlights of the Exhibition
- Sculptural works alongside large and small-format paintings
- Use of traditional Nihonga materials in contemporary compositions
- Recurring motifs of seeds, pods, and cellular forms
- Exploration of desire through surreal and biomorphic imagery
A New Chapter for GEEK/ART in India
The exhibition also marks the launch of GEEK/ART’s independent programming in India. Known for presenting interdisciplinary artistic practices, the platform aims to bring diverse voices from across Asia into dialogue with Indian audiences through exhibitions and cultural initiatives.
Visitor Information
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Origin of Desire |
| Artist | Mari Ito |
| Venue | The Ballroom, Bikaner House |
| City | New Delhi |
| Opening Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 24 April – 1 May 2026 |
| Organiser | GEEK/ART New Delhi |
| Entry / Tickets | Not specified |
Takeaway
Origin of Desire introduces Indian audiences to Mari Ito’s distinctive exploration of form, material, and emotion. By merging traditional techniques with contemporary themes, the exhibition creates a space for reflection on identity, desire, and transformation. It also signals a growing exchange between Asian artistic practices and local cultural contexts in India.
