Living as a local — travel, paint, evolve
After setting down her pastels, she heads to the kitchen. She checks the fridge, grinds some freshly bought coffee beans, and brews a cup. With a light breakfast of market fruits and yogurt in hand, she moves to the balcony and gets back to her painting. This is the rhythm of actress and artist Kiyo Matsumoto’s living-as-a-local travel style — one she’s embraced for years. Her goal is simple: to paint. For two to three months each year, she rents a room in a new destination, soaking in the local pace of life while fully immersing herself in her art.
“I want my art to keep evolving, and for me, travel is the best way to make that happen,” she explains. “A change of scenery completely transforms the images that come to mind and what I feel inspired to create. When I’m not painting, I’m cooking, going for walks, knitting, or exploring on the weekends. It’s like living on my own, just in a different place.”
After exploring various parts of Asia like Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, Kiyo-san has recently been drawn to Northern Europe. She finds inspiration in the serene beauty of its forests and lakes, brimming with diverse life. The people there live gracefully, cherishing nature with a sense of reverence. This deeply moves her and fuels her creativity. This time, however, the setting is Miyakojima. Despite its starkly different climate and landscape, Matsumoto finds surprising parallels in how people live, connecting the two places in unexpected ways.
“The way people here connect with nature and express gratitude reminds me of life in Denmark. It’s not about humans being at the center, but about coexisting with nature and feeling privileged to be part of it. There’s this quiet acceptance of gods and unseen forces as a natural part of life, integrated into daily routines. Hearing a local elder talk about offering prayers every day made me realize that this kind of connection still exists in Japan, and it was such a heartwarming discovery.”
Beneath the surface of Miyakojima’s reputation as a tropical resort lies a profound and unique cultural tapestry. One of its most defining aspects is the deep-rooted faith born from ancestor worship and reverence for nature. In modern Japan, where visits to family graves are often limited to annual occasions—if at all—and belief in deities is increasingly rare, Miyakojima stands apart. Here, gods, spirits, and ancestors are omnipresent, woven into the fabric of daily life. Seeking advice from a shaman for personal troubles is considered entirely ordinary.
This openness about the mystical is striking. Young and old, men and women alike, speak freely of hearing the voices of gods, spotting dragons, or witnessing the consequences of trespassing into sacred grounds. It’s everyday conversation. Kiyo-san reflects, “Ever since traveling to Northern Europe, I’ve become more attuned to the unseen, mystical presences in nature.” Perhaps it’s this sensitivity that has drawn her to such stories—or drawn the stories to her.
The paintings she creates in Miyakojima reflect a world of depth and intrigue—a fantastical, slightly strange realm that somehow warms the heart. Her work captures the essence of an unseen yet undeniably present beauty, painting vivid scenes of an otherworldly elegance.
Actress and Painter Kiyo Matsumoto Solo Exhibition
March 1 (Sun) – March 15 (Sat) at Sison Gallery in Shibuya
Titled Hideaway, this introspective exhibition features paintings of light and shadow, created in seclusion within a forest retreat.
SISON Inc. is pleased to announce a solo exhibition by actor and painter Kiyo Matsumoto, opening on Sunday, March 1, 2025, at SISON GALLERY in Daikanyama. This exhibition will feature works created by Matsumoto, who spends several months each year working abroad in different environments. The show will revolve around paintings produced during her recent stay in the forests of Finland late last year. One of the highlights is the emergence of new, previously unseen expressions in her work. Her pieces evoke a sense of warmth, at times contrasting light and shadows carrying a quiet, somber depth that subtly explores the themes of life and mortality.
Kiyo Matsumoto Solo Exhibition: Hideaway
Dates: March 1 (Sat) – March 15 (Sat), 2025
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Venue: SISON GALLERY
3-18 Sarugakucho, Shibuya, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Web: http://sison.tokyo
Kiyo Matsumoto
Born in 1995 in Hyogo Prefecture, Kiyo Matsumoto is an artist and actress. Self-taught since the age of 20, her work focuses on themes of nature and living things. She has held annual solo exhibitions and won the Grand Prize at the 19th Tully’s Picture Book Awards. In 2023, she published her picture book Watashi no Sekai (My World). She has also appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and web dramas.
