AIKO (aka LADY AIKO) is an acclaimed artist in the international graffiti, street art and contemporary art scene over 30 years. AIKO reveals characters who are defiant, humorous, soft yet unyielding – occupying street imaginations to reroute dominant narratives, claiming the public with desire and dissent.
After moving to NYC from Tokyo in the mid-90s, her visual language evolved into a mixed-media style inspired by club music, graffiti, advertisements, Pop Art, and traditional Japanese aesthetics. Her work combines her heritage with the urban landscape of New York City to create thought-provoking depictions of strong female figures. AIKO’s art also remains soft and tender, examining her life experiences, childhood memories, and romantic fantasies.
She experienced working at Takashi Murakami’s studio in Brooklyn in the late 90’s and founding member of the street artist collective FAILE in early 2000, she transitioned to a solo career in 2006. Known for her iconic BUNNY stencil, originally created at Banksy’s studio in London in 2005, AIKO has traveled with the BUNNY globally, spraying her message of love, peace, sexuality, and freedom. In 2009 she was one of the first artists for the Wynwood Walls, and in 2012 she became the first female artist who painted historical Keith Haring's Wall in NYC. With her unique and meticulous hand-cut stenciling style, AIKO combines Western art movements with Eastern technical skills, creating work that's both visually striking and vivid narratives.
AIKO has collaborated with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, FENDI, and Estée Lauder, The Standard, Palm Las Vegas, W Hotel and was commissioned by the World Trade Center, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. AIKO's work has been featured in major museums and galleries around the world, including Beyond The Streets, Jeffrey Deitch, Brooklyn Museum, Shanghai MOCA, Tokaido Hiroshige Museum, Saatchi Gallery London and the United Nations.
