What is the link between a 12-meter-long bronze snake slithering into the future as part of an exhibition for the physically and mentally challenged and the 20 brains (made from materials as diverse as pebbles and chili peppers), eight costumes, pieces of body armor and fragments of temple roof tile and concrete bearing messages in braille on display at Gallery Tomos in Tokyo's Nihonbashi until July 29?

Meet sculptor Naoko Takematsu, who is concerned with looking beyond surface appearances. The snake -- an autobiographical work cast in Scotland -- marks her journey toward self-reflection; the exhibition in Nihonbashi reflects observations of herself and the roles she has to play in relation to Japanese society since returning from postgraduate studies in the U.K. "Living in Tokyo again has made me question the nature of my existence in this busy artificial atmosphere."

We met after her shift at a branch of Fuji Bank. "I work 7 a.m.-3 p.m., three days a week," she explained in Edinburgh-accented English. "It's how I fund my sculpting." But not for long. She's due to leave for the U.K. again in August. "It's a yearlong scholarship from the Pola Art Foundation to train in teaching art to people with special needs."