「這個系列是一面鏡，我希望觀者從中看到自己。過着有尊嚴和自尊的生活是眾人皆有的權利；我們有公民責任作出正當決定。我想展現出微笑行動為唇顎裂患者帶來的轉變。」 —— 西山瑞貴

“This series is a mirror. I want the audience to take a good look at themselves. Living with dignity and pride is a deserved right. It is our civil responsibility to make righteous decisions. I am showing the transformative impact [Operation Smile] offers.” —— Mizuki Nishiyama

是次個展主題為日本傳統情色藝術——春畫。春畫有手繪和墨摺繪，主要見於江戶時代（1600年—1868年），旨在把性愛去污名化，頌讚美麗而自然的私密情境。西山瑞貴以愛德華薩伊德（Edward W. Said）1978年推出的後結構主義著作《東方主義》為引，在她的作品中進行了更深入的探索，探討對東方文化的屈尊俯就，而這後來亦演變成東方主義。港日混血兒西山瑞貴將日本文化底蘊融入現代東方主義概念，巧妙地把色慾中惹人遐想的筆觸悉數消除。

The title of the exhibition directly references shunga, a traditional Japanese form of erotic art on ink paintings or woodblock prints produced mainly in the Edo period (1600-1868). Literally meaning “spring pictures”, shunga destigmatized sex and celebrated intimacy as beautiful and natural. Alluding to concepts in Edward W. Said’s 1978 post-structuralist novel “Orientalism”, Nishiyama delves deeper in her works to explore the patronization of eastern culture that has evolved into “orientalism”. As an artist of mixed Japanese descent, the artist bridges her Japanese heritage with nuanced concepts such as modern orientalism to desexualize lust.

作為一名港日混血兒，西山瑞貴從東方和西方汲取靈感。個展《春畫》超越傳統日本美學和西方刻板觀念，延續藝術家發掘人性脆弱、文化認同等概念，解放同時揭露自身的種種弱點。身兼藝術家及亞洲女性雙重身分，西山瑞貴希望透過作品探討自我身份認同及人文精神。

As a mixed-Japanese artist, Nishiyama draws inspiration from the East and West. SHUNGA transcends traditional Japanese aesthetics and Western stereotypes. In continuation with concepts regarding human fragility, as well as the artist’s cultural identity, SHUNGA liberates and brings light to the vulnerable aspects of our beings. Both as an Asian Artist and Asian woman, the artist hopes to elevate her sense of identity and humanity through these works.

西山瑞貴從極為私人的經驗出發來創作每件作品——她與焦慮和創傷恆久不斷的關係，大大影響創作手法，亦使她更了解弱點、脆弱和人的狀態。她視作畫為反思及冥想的過程，在面對生命中起伏不定的時刻更尤為重要。

Nishiyama draws from deeply personal experiences to craft each and her every artwork: her ongoing relationship with anxiety and trauma has greatly influenced her practice, and has fueled her to better understand vulnerability, fragility and the human condition. The act of painting has always been a reflective and meditative process for Nishiyama, and she finds it crucial to cope with the more tempestuous periods in her life.

是次展覽中，西山瑞貴亦為微笑行動創作三件作品，包括《Bloom》、《Nurture》及《Paths》（均為2020年創作），受自然和轉變所啟發，以希望、演化和生命為主題，創作這個系列。

In this exhibition, Nishiyama also presents her three dedicated paintings to Operation Smile, Bloom, Nurture, and Paths (all 2020). Inspired by nature and transformation. Nishiyama approaches this series with themes of hope, evolution, and life.

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