Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1980, Kotaro Machiyama currently lives in Tokyo.

After working as a web designer at the apparel company RESTIR, he traveled through Southeast Asia as a backpacker. Upon returning to Japan, he decided to pursue a life as a painter.

While working as a temporary employee, he attended Setsu Mode Seminar at night. After three periods of unemployment, he began receiving illustration work. In 2014, the artworks he had been creating in parallel were recognized by an overseas online gallery and began to be sold mainly in Europe and the United States.

Inspired by a flat way of seeing, like that of an infant, without meaning or depth, his works are composed only of color and form, naturally awakening the memories and emotions of the viewer.

Since his solo exhibition at Arflex Tamagawa in 2020, his activities in Japan have continued to expand.

His awards include Highly Commended at the Rise Art Prize (UK, 2017), the Grand Prize for the J-WAVE 30th Anniversary “J-WAVE TIME TABLE” free paper (2017), and the Mariko Abe Jury Prize at the 3rd VAAD Visual Art Award (2009).