Capturing the glow of soul and nature in Ayako Bando’s work
Eternal Light: Sfumato is proud to announce the release of Ayako Bando’s artist book, a luminous publication that traces the evolution of her celebrated Eternal Light Series. This book brings together paintings, reflections, and visual narratives that explore the enduring connection between nature, memory, and the human spirit.
Through layered compositions of acrylic, oil, and washi-paper collage, Bando invites readers into a world where light becomes both subject and metaphor—an inner presence of the soul and an outer force embodied by the sun, flowers, and natural rhythms. The book reveals her poetic journey from seasonal landscapes to the symbolic language of irises, coral hues, and reborn fragments of past works, each page echoing themes of purity, hope, and transformation.
More than a documentation of artworks, this publication serves as an intimate meditation on resilience and renewal. It reflects the artist’s belief that even amid life’s uncertainties, light quietly persists—guiding us back to clarity, connection, and hope.
Ayako Bando is a Japanese visual artist born in Tokushima and based in the United States. She studied art in Osaka, London, Tokyo, and New York, and is influenced by the expressive use of color and rhythm found in the work of Wassily Kandinsky. Her ongoing Eternal Light Series explores the soul as an inner light and nature as a symbol of hope and renewal. Working with acrylic, oil, and washi-paper collage, Bando layers memory and transformation into each composition. Since 2018, the iris has emerged as a central motif, and in recent years her palette has expanded to warm coral tones reflecting connection and life sustained by light. She has received the Japan Art Academy Award and the Facilitator Award, presented by MoMA curator Paulina Pobocha.
Ayako Bando, Artist
From Sfumato’s perspective as visual designers and curators, this book was conceived as a quiet yet powerful extension of Ayako Bando’s artistic language. Our intention was to translate the softness, rhythm, and luminosity of her work into a tactile visual experience—one that mirrors the layered sensitivity of her paintings.
The layout emphasizes space, breath, and subtle transitions, allowing each artwork to resonate fully while guiding the reader through the evolving narrative of the Eternal Light Series. The interplay of white space, coral tonal references, and gentle sequencing reflects the natural flow of time and memory embedded in her practice.
Designing this publication was not simply an editorial process, but a dialogue between artist and form. The book becomes a vessel for contemplation—inviting readers to pause, to feel, and to rediscover their own relationship with light, nature, and hope. We are honored to present this collaboration and to share Ayako Bando’s enduring vision with a global audience.
Sfumato Art Creatives, Designer
For a broader look at Ayako Bando’s artwork, visit her official portfolio site and explore the various galleries of her work
"I am deeply grateful to Sfumato Art Creatives for giving me the opportunity to publish my very first art book. Their thoughtful care in the layout and structure supported me greatly throughout the process. They welcomed every revision with generosity and kindness, and through our exchanges I truly felt the warmth of the Sfumato team. Creating this book together with such a wonderful group of people has been a joyful and meaningful experience for me.
This collection spans from the early works of my Eternal Light series to my most recent pieces. I hope readers will enjoy seeing how my work has gradually evolved over time, and that something within these pages gently resonates with their hearts."
Ayako Bando