Eri Motohashi

FOUNDER, ART ISLAND CENTER

NAOSHIMA, JAPAN

Eri Motohashi moved from Tokyo to Japan’s famed “art island,” Naoshima, in 2018. Her desire to bridge art and island life in a way that complements Naoshima's museums led her to co-found Art Island Center, a social enterprise that’s part-bookshop, part-gallery, and part-cafe. Art Island Center’s exhibits, food, merchandise, and programs center around connecting people and sharing ideas and inspiration. Before coming to Naoshima, Eri studied illustration in college, then embarked on a career as a painter and cook, spending several years in New Zealand and Australia. She lives on Naoshima with her partner Andrew and son Iori.