Mayuno Kobayashi (b. 1993, Aichi, Japan) graduated from the Department of Japanese Painting at Joshibi University of Art and Design, and completed her MFA at the same institution. Grounded in the techniques of Nihonga, she has developed a distinctive practice centered on internal emotions and memory. Her work is characterized by transforming ambiguous and fluid images—derived from everyday experiences and emotional states—into figures of animals and imaginary creatures. These motifs, ranging from real animals to fantastical beings, are often depicted as humorous characters, each embodying human emotions and psychological complexities. By incorporating elements drawn from her personal memories, cultural influences, and individual sensibilities, Kobayashi constructs a unique visual world where strangeness and familiarity coexist, inviting viewers into an introspective and imaginative space. In recent years, she has actively participated in exhibitions and international art fairs. In 2024, she held her first solo exhibition, The Delightful Abyss, at SHIKISAISHA Gallery. She was also awarded the ONE ART AWARD 2024, marking her as an emerging artist to watch.