Mai Naito is an Impressionist photographer born in Osaka, Japan, now creating nature art that inspires calm and connection. In 2015, she moved to Brisbane, Australia to study and grow, fueling her passion for capturing the beauty of natural spaces with a therapeutic twist.

Raised surrounded by nature, Mai’s childhood sparked her love for nature art, blending imagination with the emotional power of forests, skies, and rivers… Her Impressionist art style reflects these personal experiences, offering a soothing, therapeutic escape.

Through her work, Mai invites you to rediscover a deeper connection with natural world, blending nature art and therapeutic art to evoke wonder and peace in every moment.

EDUCATION  

Bachelor of Visual Arts (Majoring in Photography)

Griffith University, Brisbane

July 2022 - October 2023

Bachelor of Photography (Majoring in Advertising)

Griffith University, Brisbane

February 2020 – July 2022

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2025

  • Permanent exhibition, QEII Jubilee Hospital, Brisbane, July - present (three works displayed in the Sexual Assault Unit, selected by nurses and staff for their patients’ positive impact)

  • Solo Exhibition: Ambrosial, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Feb-Jul (12 works, hospital entrance)

  • Solo Exhibition: Wundervei, Robina Hospital, Gold Coast, Feb-Aug (13 works, hospital corridor)

  • Permanent Exhibition, Redcliffe Hospital, Feb-Present (2 works, Day Procedure Unit, selected for well-being)

  • Petit Pieces, Aspire Gallery, Brisbane, April

2024

  • Permanent Exhibition, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Apr-Present (2 works, Mental Health Unit, chosen by children for positive outcomes)

  • Prize Exhibition, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham, UK, Sep-Oct

  • Group Exhibition: Going Cold, Vacant Assembly, Brisbane, Sep

  • Little Feature, Aspire Gallery, Brisbane, Jun

  • Group Exhibition: Reality and Its Double, Brunswick Street Gallery, Brisbane, May

  • Group Exhibition: Dreams & Nightmares, Boomer Gallery, London, UK, Jan

  • Solo Exhibition: Wundervei, QCAD Grey Street Gallery, Brisbane, Jan

2023

  • Group Exhibition: ECHO, Side Gallery, Brisbane, Dec

  • Group Exhibition: Perceptions, QCAD Pop Gallery, October

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Lethbridge Landscape Prize, Finalist, 2025 & 2024

  • Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Award, Finalist, 2024

  • Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Prize, Finalist & Highly Commended, 2024

  • Clayton Utz Art Prize, Finalist, 2025

  • Australia’s Top Emerging Photographers, Fujifilm, Top 20 in Art Category, 2025

  • ND Awards, Honorable Mention, Fine Art: Other, 2025

  • Clip Award, Perth Centre for Photography, Semi-finalist, 2024

  • Fine Art Photography Awards, Nominee, Experimental Category, 2024

  • Neutral Density Photography Awards, 3rd Place & Bronze Star, Fine Art: Abstract, 2023

PUBLICATIONS

  • Artist Feature, Frankie Magazine, Jun 2025