AY-O

Born in Ibaraki, Japan in 1931, Ay-O studied fine art at Tokyo University of Education (now the University of Tsukuba) and emerged as a leading avant-garde artist. In 1958, he moved to the United States and was based in New York, where he became an active member of Fluxus, the international avant-garde art movement.

Known for his vivid, rainbow-centered aesthetic, Ay-O earned the nickname “Rainbow Man.” His diverse body of work spans painting, printmaking, performance, and happenings, and has been highly acclaimed both in Japan and internationally.