Originally from Tokyo, collage artist Yaya Räber now lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland. While working as a caregiver in Tokyo, she discovered Art Brut, or Outsider Art – a style created by self-taught artists outside traditional art circles. This discovery made a lasting impression on her, and in 2020, she began experimenting with collage. Then during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, cutting paper became a therapeutic outlet for her.
She calls her work “Esoragoto”, a Japanese phrase meaning “A Castle in the Air,” which represents the impossible, daydreams, and often whimsical designs that change with her mood, giving each piece a unique theme. She enjoys exploring secondhand bookstores and browsing old books for inspiration. When she finds something inspiring, she buys the book and brings it home to incorporate into her work. As a mother, she typically creates at night after her son is asleep or while he’s at kindergarten.
Looking ahead, she is excited to take on new creative challenges.
For more of her art, check out her IG @esoragoto_papier_2
