Sanae Hayashi
Born in Japan, based in Melbourne
Sanae creates abstract paintings guided by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection, transience, and simplicity. More than an aesthetic, her work is a quiet symbol of living simply, embracing what is, and finding richness in less.
Her inspiration comes from the textures of pottery glazes, the colours and markings of bark, and the quiet patina of age. Working primarily on raw canvas with acrylics and hand-ground sumi ink, her process is slow and intentional — layering, subtracting, and allowing irregularities to remain as part of the work.
With a background in architecture and interior design, Sanae’s art bridges restraint and depth, offering collectors and designers not just visual beauty, but also a grounding reminder of the wabi-sabi spirit in modern life.