How do you go about finding new inspiration at art museums, Ayaka?

“Even when you’re standing in front of an artwork that you might think is a little to difficult to understand, I think it’s best to just keep an open mind and take another step forward. It worked for me recently with 20th century Austrian painter, Oskar Kokoschka, and now I’m hooked on his works. When I first saw his works I was like, “No, this isn’t for me,” and I was about to move on. But then I thought, no, I’ll at least make an effort, and so I took a step forward towards the painting and instantly it was like a whole new path had opened up before me. I fell in love with it and now I’m hooked. Of course I don’t think it’s essential to like all paintings out there. I still don’t understand the works of Mondrian or De Chirico. Even if I’m told what Mondrian’s works are of, I still don’t get it. But I’m sure that one day I will understand. That’s one of the joys of art. After studying art history at university for a year, there’s still so much I have to do and I know I still have a lot to learn. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve been so fixated on the one thing for an entire year. And it’s strange because I was so reluctant about studying when I was in middle school. But now I love to study.”