Untitled (Daiki), 2026
Acrylic paint on canvas, fabric, nails, metal, plastic, beads, fluorescent light, LED light and cables
200 x 140 x 80cm

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Untitled (Daiki) draws from the standardised ID photographs commonly used for CVs in Japan, often taken against a blue background and required as part of job applications.
The portrait is constructed by collaging together multiple “ideal” sample images, printed on A4 canvas using a home printer and stitched into one piece. This process produces a composite identity shaped by repetition and expectation.

The work is illuminated by a fluorescent light placed on the floor in front of the piece, echoing the harsh, institutional lighting often associated with bureaucratic spaces. This lighting emphasises the constructed nature of the image while reinforcing a sense of scrutiny.

The name “Daiki” is taken from the most popular boys’ name in 2003, referencing a generation entering the workforce in 2026. In Japan, job hunting typically begins over a year before graduation, suggesting that “Daiki” has already fallen behind. The work reflects the pressure to conform, the standardisation of identity, and the anxiety of navigating rigid systems of work and expectation.