Anime, Japan, and the Reality of International Residencies

Experiencing Japan as an artist felt completely different from simply visiting as a tourist.

Anime culture has influenced my values for many years, but being physically surrounded by it every day gave me an entirely new appreciation for how deeply creativity exists within Japanese society. In Japan, anime is not treated as something niche or separated from everyday life — it naturally exists everywhere, from train stations and advertisements to cafés, galleries, shops, and in the way people dress.

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As someone whose work combines anime influences with abstract sculptural art, this environment felt incredibly validating. It reminded me that inspiration need not fit neatly into traditional artistic categories to have value. Instead, Japan showed me how naturally contemporary art, storytelling, design, and popular culture can coexist within everyday life.

Outside the studio, I constantly found inspiration in small details. Kobe’s quiet streets, Osaka’s energy, Tokyo’s overwhelming visual atmosphere, carefully arranged storefronts, glowing vending machines at night, and flowers placed outside homes.

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At the same time, the residency also taught me the reality of working internationally. One of the biggest adjustments was adapting to Japan’s indirect and reserved communication culture. At times, it was difficult to fully understand what was expected of me immediately, which occasionally created confusion. However, through patience and open communication, misunderstandings were clarified and often resulted in even stronger outcomes and collaborations.

Another unexpected challenge involved the planned Tokyo exhibition with Art Number 23. Due to a miscommunication regarding artwork storage arrangements between the curator and the gallery, the physical artworks ultimately had to return with me to Malta instead of remaining in Japan for the exhibition. As a result, the exhibition shifted from a physical presentation to a digital one. Initially, this felt disappointing, especially after months of preparation, but it also became an important lesson in adaptability and problem-solving within international projects.

Despite these challenges, the residency remained an incredibly meaningful experience. Visiting anime-related locations, galleries, and creative spaces connected deeply with the themes already present in my work. Instead of feeling like two separate worlds — anime culture and contemporary art — Japan showed me how naturally both can coexist.

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More than anything, this experience strengthened my confidence in continuing to develop my own artistic voice without feeling the need to separate my inspirations from my professional practice.

International residencies are not only about producing artwork; they are about learning how to navigate different cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking. Sometimes the challenges themselves become just as important as the artistic outcomes.

This project was supported by Arts Council Malta through the International Participation Scheme.