Mai Muraguchi’s art is a confrontation with the unspoken rules that shape identity and perception. Growing up in Japan, where societal expectations often dictate behavior and values, Muraguchi turned to art as a means of questioning and reclaiming autonomy. Through a practice that blends personal experience with broader cultural critique, Muraguchi explores themes of conformity, beauty standards, and the silent pressures that influence how people see themselves and each other.

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How has your upbringing or cultural heritage shaped the themes and techniques you explore in your art today?

I was born in Yamanashi, Japan, and later lived in Tokyo. Japan is a culturally monocultural society, and I grew up within numerous guidelines of how I ‘should be and behave’. My artistic practice primarily addresses social and cultural issues from the perspective of a Japanese woman, and most of my works are based on my own experiences. In Japan, there are numerous unspoken guidelines and pressures that exist to maintain social cohesion. Additionally, contemporary Japanese women face issues related to lookism, being subjected to stereotypical male gazes, exaggerated ideals perpetuated by the media, and social and collective pressures from other women’s evaluations. There is also a cultural tendency in Japan to view making the wrong choice as something undesirable. To avoid mistakes, people often refrain from trying new things. Through my work, it is also an exploration of the notion of spontaneity, which has been excluded as a hostage of 'good morals'. I believe the concept of my practice is shaped by these hidden, exclusionary cultural factors in Japan. My artistic activities confront the lineage of cultural norms that are silently perpetuated.

How do you reconcile the tension between raw, innate creativity and the discipline required to master your craft?

I believe that innate creativity has little chance of growing significantly without proper cultivation. In order to grow, necessary training is essential. Fortunately, I have had the experience of working with incredibly passionate and creative individuals in the past. This experience taught me how to discipline myself, persist in my practice, maintain tension, and continue fueling my passion. In short, I believe the key is to become immersed in one's practice. More than anything else, being completely captivated by my project, falling in love with it, engaging in critical discussions with others about it, and taking responsibility for my practice are all part of the training to expand creativity.

Do you believe an artist's passion is something destined or a conscious choice?

I believe that an artist's passion is both destined and a conscious choice. The initial passion may be small, but nurturing it and not overlooking it is a conscious decision. As a child, I loved drawing and reading novels, but I never thought I could become an artist. At that time, I believed that only those who were born with extraordinary talent, had fearless hearts, and possessed an unwavering passion regardless of others' opinions could become artists. So, I gave up. However, more than 15 years later, I now live in London as an artist. My passion never faded. To me, an artist’s predestined passion is about the things that remain in one's heart even when no one else pays attention to them. No matter how small, continuously being aware of and valuing those things is crucial. In Japan, where I was born, the ability to conform to the opinions of those around you is considered an excellent choice for maintaining social cohesion. However, this sometimes leads to erasing oneself. Even though I lived in a country that is said to be economically prosperous and peaceful, my heart was in a painful state until I was able to choose my own place in the world. Growing up in such an environment makes one forget how to make conscious choices. However, once you become honest with yourself and make choices based on your passion, the world appears completely different.

How does your art engage with or comment on pressing contemporary issues—social, political, or environmental?

My artwork confronts social and cultural issues in contemporary Japan, particularly from the perspective of women. However, rather than solely addressing gender gaps, I believe my work deals with issues rooted in the hidden cultural lineage that Japan has silently perpetuated for a long time. For example, Japan has a low percentage of immigrants, with about 98% of the population holding Japanese nationality. Japanese is almost the sole official language, and the society places great emphasis on shared values and education. As a result, opinions that do not align with these common values tend to be excluded. Moreover, since most of Japan's population shares similar physical features, the beauty standards within the country are explicitly defined through various media. Beautiful and well-groomed women are expected to have perfect personalities as well, requiring not only good looks but also politeness and attentiveness. These standards place significant pressure on many women to strive for unattainable beauty. Those who do not fit these shared values or beauty ideals may feel forced to suppress their true selves in order to function in society. Many undergo plastic surgery or extreme dieting in an attempt to be accepted, often at great emotional cost. I feel that these social and cultural issues in Japan are hidden and difficult to notice unless one has lived there for many years. Because of this, it was only after coming to a diverse city like London that I was able to face my true feelings, establish my practice, and share it with the world.

If you could communicate just one core message through your entire body of work, what would it be?

Even if you are going through a difficult time, do not give up on believing in yourself.

Do academic institutions still play a vital role in shaping artists today, or has self-taught creativity disrupted this tradition?

I believe academic institutions still play a crucial role in today’s world. While self-taught creativity can surpass institutional education for some individuals, my personal experience has shown me the enduring value of structured learning, accumulated knowledge, and shared expertise within academic environments. For several years, I studied art independently, but after just a few months in a London academic institution, I found an environment where I could systematically explore most of the questions I had struggled with on my own. This includes differences in language, history, and cultural perspectives. For someone like me, who grew up on an East Asian island nation, physically going to the place I wanted to study and experiencing history, culture, and geography firsthand—while engaging in critical discussions with diverse individuals—has been like unlocking doors to entirely new worlds.

Name five pivotal lessons you’ve learned that shaped your artistic journey.

Be honest with yourself. Maintain a critical perspective. Having a critical conversation. Keep learning. Enjoy challenges.

What are your long-term aspirations as an artist, both personally and professionally?

My long-term goal as an artist is to continuously expand and evolve my creativity while remaining committed to lifelong learning. I also want to share my work with as many people as possible, whether they have similar experiences to mine or not. If my work can offer new perspectives, spark self-reflection, or raise questions about the world, that would be a significant achievement for me. Additionally, I hope that in the future, my home country will foster an environment where people can critically engage with different perspectives and have open discussions. I would love to see art become more accessible—not something reserved for a select few with specialized knowledge, but something that can inspire a broader audience. Above all, I want to remain honest, maintain a critical mindset, and continue practicing and creating throughout my life.