Biography

IMA

Born in 1990 in Osaka, Japan.
Based in Japan and the United States.
Her work explores art, cross-dressing makeup, painting, and hand-poked tattooing, questioning conventional ideas of normality through surreal and emotionally evocative imagery.

Art

Selected Exhibitions & Art Projects

2009
Artwork for a promotional poster for Astonish Ice Cream, Namba Parks, Osaka, Japan.

2011
Participated in ART STREAM, Daimaru Shinsaibashi Group Stores, Osaka, Japan.

2011
Artwork for the blog header of Aoi Girl, Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.

2011
Conducted an oil painting workshop for children at Aoi Ennichi, Kamigamo Shrine, Kyoto, Japan.

2012
Exhibition “From Contemporary Painter IMARI INOUE to Artist Imari Inoue”,
Kubire-tei, Kitakagaya, Osaka, Japan.

2014
Mural artwork for the film “Misono Universe” (Japan).

2010 - present

Makeup

Selected Art & Performance Projects

2012
Started individual cross-dressing makeup practice, providing professional makeup services across Japan.

2015
Founded transformation makeup studio Josou Gentlemen as lead makeup artist.

2015
Makeup for Kate Asakura (Hatsune Miku official cosplay singer; later appeared in the Hollywood film Piranha in Japan).

2015
Makeup for models on Yomiuri TV program Peach Café.

2015
Founded one-on-one makeup workshop for cross-dressers, Metamorphose, as instructor.

2016
Started art project HALF, exploring cross-dressing as artistic expression (photographed by Yusuke Fujioka).

2016
Hosted group makeup workshops for cross-dressers, Lady Project, as instructor.

2016
Exhibited HALF at Tokyo Design Festa 2016 (photographed by Yusuke Fujioka).

2016
HALF selected for PX3 International Art Photo Competition, Paris, France.

2017
Participated in Osaka Prefecture Business Contest, awarded Excellence in Business Prize.

2017

Appeared on Kansai TV program News Real.

2017
Participated in Otana Kogei Exhibition as part of alumni group from Osaka Municipal College of Arts and Crafts.

2017
Exhibited HALF at 181 Building Groove, event Music, Art, Food, and Human Spirit, Osaka.

2017
Guest appearance at Talking Heads vol.13, The Place Salon, Umeda Grand Front, Osaka – topic: “Heisei Era Cross-Dressing Makeup Researcher: Imari Inoue”.

2017
Provided transformation makeup on MBS Radio program Ee naa! (with coverage).

2017
Model makeup for Asahi Broadcasting ABC program Kiyoshi & Kuroda no Kyou mo Heehoo, featuring Kiyoshi Nishikawa.

2017
Makeup challenge on Kansai TV Uramayo! – won against Haruna Ai.

2017
Appeared on Kansai TV Ningen Kokuhou-san, recognized as “Living National Treasure” in performance.

2017
Featured in Osaka Sangyo Sozokan / Bplatz article: “Entrepreneurial Story Chosen to Reclaim Oneself”.

2017
Cross-dressing art project HALF featured on international art website ADB.

2017
Participated in 2nd Yuurei Exhibition group show, presented cross-dressing artwork “Urayamashi, Onna.”.

2017
Featured in beauty industry magazine Gendai Shougyoukai (special interview).

2010 - present

プロフィール

Profile

At the core of my work lies my experience as a minority in Japan—being a foreign resident, blood type B, a twin, raised in a patriarchal household, and someone with artistic talent. Throughout my life, I often felt a sense of alienation, which I have long expressed through my art.

In 2022, I moved to the United States, and through this experience, I realized that many of the challenges I faced in Japan were shaped by cultural and societal influences. I also discovered the richness of a world filled with diverse values and backgrounds, which greatly expanded the scope of my creative expression.

In this next stage of my life, I focus on what I can contribute globally: my expertise in makeup that transforms masculinity into femininity, and the artistic expression I have nurtured since childhood. Now in my thirties and as a mother, I am embracing my life anew, pursuing my path with authenticity, purpose, and a balance between family and creative work.