"I make abstract paintings which were formed by a lifelong investigation into color relationships and the potential energy stored in human gesture. For me, painting is a method of communication."
Ryoko Endo (b. 1951, Fukushima, Japan) is a Japanese-American abstract painter based in New York City since 1994. Her work is characterized by vibrant color fields, dynamic brushwork, and an interest in the expressive potential of acrylic paint. Born into a traditional family in Fukushima, Endo was encouraged by her mother to use her right hand instead of her dominant left, leading her to develop ambidextrous painting skills—a distinctive and defining feature of her practice. She began her artistic journey with traditional Sumi ink calligraphy, a discipline that inspired her meditative approach to brushwork. Sumi ink calligraphy is an art form rooted in precision and rhythm. This foundation evolved into a fluid and expressive style applied to acrylic painting. Upon relocating to New York City, Endo studied under Kikuo Saito, a second-generation Abstract Expressionist artist. Saito influenced Endo’s understanding of color dynamics and compositional structure. Endo's work embodies a synthesis of Eastern calligraphic traditions and Western abstract expressionism. Her art continues to explore the union between color and movement. Her compositions unfold as expansive and layered fields of color with gestural and emotional intensity. Given the hybridity of the forms and traditions she channels, the work creates a visual experience that is meditative and charged with expressive energy.
Ryoko Endo began her artistic training in graphic design and typography at Musashino Art University before pursuing painting at the Art Students League in New York. Endo has been honored with scholarships from the Fantasy Fountain Fund and the Trudy and Henry Gillette Painting Scholarship, as well as a grant from Lloyd Sherwood. She is also a recipient of the Red and Blue Dot Awards from the Art Students League. Her artwork is part of the permanent collection at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.