Married to a Japanese spouse, Risa Wada is an emerging Malaysian artist now based in Tokyo, Japan. Trained at Eric Lim Fashion Design School in Penang, she spent 18 years working in an investment bank before pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an artist. In 2016, she began her Wild Desert Cactus collection, marking the beginning of her exploration into the idea of 'Anima' (Latin word for "Soul") — the soul or spirit within the natural world, especially plants and trees.

Her first solo show was “Yasuragi – Repose”, Younie Gallery, Kuala Lumpur (2019), followed by ‘ANIMA MEA’ at Gallery Kujaku in Tokyo, Japan (2023). Her works have been featured in group shows including the “Shanghai International Art Fair 2nd Edition”, China (2020), “SEKAKI International Art Group Show”, KL City Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur (2020), “Art Asia@KL 2019 Asian Warisan Fair” and “Art Asia@KL 2018 Hotel Art Expo”.

in 2022, Risa Wada was invited to showcase her work at the 6th edition of 'Personal Structures,' organized by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) in Venice, Italy, which runs concurrently with the prestigious Venice Biennale and featured prominent artists including Yoko Ono. During the same year, she pursued a short course at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.