Meet the Artist: Yuko

We spent a memorable afternoon visiting Yuko in her studio in Andratx, where she welcomed us for an intimate demonstration of her unique artistic process. A Uruguayan artist based in Mallorca and deeply inspired by Japanese art and culture, Yuko has developed a distinctive personal style through years of experimentation with “painting on water.”

At the heart of her practice lies a fascinating dialogue between traditions: the quiet, meditative precision of Suminagashi—the Japanese art of ink marbling—and Ebru, the richer, more colorful marbling techniques of Turkish and Persian origin. In her studio, this fusion comes to life in a large, shallow basin—nearly 1.80 by 2.50 meters—filled with water that has been transformed into a gel-like surface using carrageen.

Watching Yuko work is both calming and captivating. Drops of ink are gently placed onto the surface, then subtly guided with the tip of a brush or even a soft breath. The pigments expand, drift, and interact in ways that can only be partially controlled, making each piece a balance between intention and chance. Before our eyes, delicate forms emerged—suggestive of her signature Fantasy Forests, where trees appear as singular, almost sentient beings.

We were fascinated by the process and repeatedly surprised by how these fluid, unpredictable movements resolved into such evocative imagery. It was a reminder that Yuko’s work is as much about letting go as it is about creation.

A truly inspiring afternoon—and not our last. Yuko has already promised a return visit, next time exploring the connection between her work and the Japanese poetic form of Haiku. We’ll be back.

To find out more about Yuko visit https://www.art-gallery-mallorca.com/en/yuko-en/

Photos by Gail Davies
Banner image by Yuko