玉城博香 Hiroka Tamashiro

Born in Shizuoka Prefecture. After working as an art teacher, she began her career as an artist in 2019. As an artist with two distinct sides—an improvisational performer who dances and paints while splashing paint, and an artist who portrays a beautiful world through delicate expressions—she is actively engaged in wall art, live painting, and event performances. As a child, I grew up playing in an environment surrounded by nature, and whenever I struggled with interpersonal relationships, nature was what healed and protected me. Drawing from these experiences, my artwork frequently features natural elements such as light, water, trees, and plants. My gratitude toward nature is the foundation of my creative work. In my live painting and event activities, I am driven by a strong desire to share “fun art” with everyone, from children to adults. During my time as a teacher, I witnessed students becoming constrained by the pressure of evaluation and gradually losing their freedom of expression. To change this situation, I promote art that can be enjoyed without worrying about judgment. In particular, through free and liberating forms of expression—such as “splashing paint or covering oneself from head to toe”—I aim to help everyone discover the joy of art. In 2023, I changed my artist name from “SORA” to my real name, “Hiroka Tamaki,” and embarked on a new path of artistic expression. In 2024, she is focusing on the darker aspects of human nature and exploring new forms of expression. People have sides they don’t want others to see. They want to hide them, but they can’t completely conceal them. I believe those aspects are “proof of life” born from the many experiences we’ve overcome. I want to express that beauty.