SHINTARO & YOSHIKO NAKAHARA

Flowing Through

Opening Wednesday 29th April 5.30-6.30pm

This event is part of the Aotearoa Art Fair VIP programme

Sanderson are pleased to present the exhibition Flowing Through, featuring a new body of work by artist duo Shintaro and Yoshiko Nakahara.

Flowing Through is a contemplative series of paintings that reflect on the quiet, enduring nature of cultural heritage and collective memory, and the ways it can manifest across generations.

At its heart, the exhibition is an exploration of how culture is carried not only through traditions, but through subtle, intimate expressions - small gestures and shared stories. The exhibition brings together a group of works in which floral motifs serve as symbols, each bloom holding layers of memory and meaning. Roses, daffodils, lilies and mānuka, among others, are thoughtfully depicted to reflect diverse cultural identities and their unique significance.

In an increasingly interconnected world, where movement across borders has become more accessible than ever, the Nakahara’s reflect on the evolving nature of identity. As people settle in new places and encounter different customs, they adapt, learn, and grow; becoming open to new ways of being. Yet amid change, something essential endures:

“Wherever we go, something of where we come from always stays with us, like a small light we carry.” – Yoshiko Nakahara

Flowing Through invites viewers to consider this quiet presence of inheritance: how it persists beneath the surface, often unnoticed, until a moment of recognition brings its value into focus. It is both a personal and universal narrative: one that speaks to belonging, transformation, and the gentle continuity of collective remembrance.

Shintaro and Yoshiko Nakahara are a collaborative artist duo whose work bridges tradition and experimentation, drawing on Japanese cultural heritage while embracing contemporary artistic influences. Working across painting, installation, and mixed media, their practice is defined by a careful balance between precision and spontaneity. Shintaro’s disciplined approach to colour and form intersects with Yoshiko’s intuitive intricate ink work, resulting in pieces that feel both grounded and ethereal. Their work often explores themes of memory, impermanence, and the quiet beauty found in everyday moments.