In a world ruled by noise and notifications, London-based Japanese artist June Mineyama-Smithson – aka MAMIMU – offers a visual sanctuary. Her new exhibition Art of Reclaiming Focus, launching during Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 at Cult Vision, explores the bold, meditative power of abstract form. Through this third collaboration with Cult Vision, Mineyama-Smithson invites visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their inner stillness through colour and intention.
Your work often seeks to evoke optimism through bold colours and geometric rhythms. How did that philosophy shape your “Art of Reclaiming Focus” collection?
My mission is to spread optimism through bold colours and forms. To me, optimism is not a lofty, happy idea—it’s a belief system that the future can be better, even if the present moment isn’t perfect. I truly believe that when more people feel optimistic, we collectively build a better future. My aim is to spread this vision through art.
The inspiration for “Art of Reclaiming Focus” came from the feeling of overwhelm we all experience in our daily lives. Social media, calendar invites, family duties—everything is constantly fighting for our attention. But I want to invite the viewer to pause, be present, and reclaim a moment for themselves.
You describe using colour and shape as a universal language. How do you decide on the specific palettes and forms to convey emotion in each project?
I don’t follow colour theory or Gestalt principles, even though I teach them to my students as a lecturer. Is that contradictory? I don’t think so. I believe they have their place in art and design practice, but not in mine.
Instead, I rely on intuition. It may sound woo-woo, but stay with me. My intuition is the culmination of all my life experiences so far. My brain is constantly processing what worked and didn’t work, from my childhood in Tokyo to my career as a graphic designer in Hong Kong and London, as well as my interactions with everyone I met. I think that’s a rich enough data set of emotions to evoke something intuitively in someone.
In a chaotic and imperfect world, what role do you believe art plays in helping people reclaim moments of calm and intention?
You can’t control the chaotic and imperfect world, but you can control what’s inside you. I hope the “Art of Reclaiming Focus” collection acts as a reminder that your well-being should be the number one priority, because if you’re not well, you can’t take care of those around you or make the world a better place. Through an interplay of colour and forms, this collection explores the power of intention, inviting the viewer to see the bigger picture.
How did your collaboration with Cult Vision influence the way you approached this new series for Clerkenwell Design Week?
Cult Vision doesn’t just sell average glasses—their eyewear is carefully curated from all over the world, which takes a lot of creativity. During my discussion with Marianne, the General Manager at Cult Vision, the idea of “focus” came up. I thought being able to focus on a single thing is a luxury these days. From there, I shared a mood board to continue the conversation before moving on to sketches, trying out various combinations of colours and forms to best express the concept. Although they always give me plenty of creative freedom, it’s a collaborative process, which I enjoy very much.
Your pieces often symbolise moving toward positive change. How does “Art of Reclaiming Focus” reflect that sense of direction or hope?
Each painting has a sense of direction with dynamic diagonal shapes and curves. In the middle, you’ll find a tiny yellow dot that symbolises the moment of focus and the power of intention. The dynamic elements represent the chaos of the world, while the quiet, central element represents a moment of clarity. I want to give the viewer a sense of hope by showing that intention is something you can control.
As both a graphic designer and an artist, how do these disciplines influence each other in your creative process?
As a graphic designer, I’m trained to be pixel-perfect, placing everything meticulously on the grid. There’s something satisfying about clean lines and perfect alignment. I strive for the same craftsmanship in my acrylic paintings, but the goal is not to eliminate human traces. I want to show all my pencil marks, traces of trial and error, as well as craftsmanship. It’s a quest for perfection in an imperfect world—a bit more Wabi Sabi than trying to be a machine. I’m sure an AI robot could paint perfectly, but how boring would that be?
This is your third collaboration with Cult Vision. What has evolved in your artistic conversations with them since your earlier projects like “Barbican Geometrics”?
Our conversations always revolve around their ‘vision’ and my ‘optimism’, but the format evolves with each collaboration. The first project, “Barbican”, was about finding optimism in the Brutalist architecture of the Barbican, presented as posters. The second, “When a Visionary Dreams”, was about quiet empowerment in the form of moving images. This time, “Art of Reclaiming Focus” is expressed through a series of acrylic paintings.
I’m also happy to have sponsors this year who share this vision. The “Art of Reclaiming Focus” collection is sponsored by Tara Swart Inc, Aros Architects, Victor Perton, and The Brief Doctor, each of whom believes in the power of focus—a perfect alignment with the collection’s concept.
Looking ahead, how do you hope your work continues to inspire optimism and mindfulness in everyday urban life?
I would love to work on a larger scale to spread optimism far and wide. That could mean placemaking or mural projects in public spaces (I’m currently working on a secret project in West London), or collaborations with fashion or F&B brands. I love the idea of optimism you can wear or consume. While Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) or a stroll on the beach would be ideal, they aren’t always accessible in urban life. I want to create something that’s accessible every day—something you can walk by and be reminded to take care of your wellbeing.
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“Art of Reclaiming Focus” exhibited at Cult Vison for Clerkenwell Design Week and beyond.
Original paintings available at Cult Vision & online
Limited edition prints exclusively at mamimutokyo.com/shop
