Born in Tokyo, Japan, Tatsuo Miyajima studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He emerged as a significant figure in contemporary art during the late 1980s, gaining attention for his immersive installations that utilize light-emitting diodes to visualize the passage of time.

His signature practice involves the arrangement of digital counters that cycle through numbers one to nine, intentionally omitting the zero to symbolize the void or the state of death. These works are frequently presented as large-scale wall installations or floor-based environments, reflecting his interest in the interconnectedness of human experience and cosmic duration.

Miyajima continues to maintain an active international presence, with recent recognition including his first solo museum exhibition in Taiwan at the Asia University Museum of Modern Art in 2026. This exhibition highlights his ongoing commitment to collaborative projects, featuring new works developed alongside local participants.