Paper Sculptures Represent Hope and Unity in the Artist’s Detailed Works
Title: Ayumi Shibata’s “Poem of Life”: An Awe-Inspiring Journey Through Light, Space, and Spirit with Paper Art
In the continuously changing landscape of contemporary art, few mediums exhibit the same blend of timelessness and transformative quality as paper. Japanese artist Ayumi Shibata has established herself as a virtuoso of this unpretentious material, redefining it from a mere canvas for creativity into the artwork itself. With her latest exhibition, Micro and Macro Universe of Paper Art, Shibata elevates her craft—quite literally—through a stunning collection of suspended paper sculptures called Poem of Life.
Taking place in January 2025 at the Ichihara Lakeside Museum, situated roughly an hour from Tokyo, the exhibition featured three notable female artists—Ayumi Shibata, Tomoko Fuse, and Noriko Ambe—each acclaimed for their distinctive engagement with paper through techniques like origami and kirigami. While every artist contributed their own perspective to the central theme, it was Shibata’s celestial installations that enchanted viewers with their combination of light, depth, and spiritual significance.
The Philosophy Behind the Art
Shibata’s method of creating paper art is profoundly influenced by Japanese cultural and spiritual beliefs. In Japan, paper (washi) transcends being a simple artistic medium; it acts as a yorishiro—an entity that welcomes the presence of spiritual beings. Traditionally utilized in ceremonies, calligraphy, and crafts, paper has long held the intangible essence of emotion, memory, and communication.
Through Poem of Life, Shibata channels this heritage into a contemporary reflection on existence and interconnection. Each sculpture is carefully hand-cut from numerous layers of delicate white paper and intricately bound. The creation process itself symbolizes a tapestry of intents, efforts, time, and aspirations. The harmonious forms embody the artist’s vision of balance among nature, humanity, and the invisible forces that unite us.
A Gallery Transformed
The Ichihara Lakeside Museum features a nine-meter-high atrium, a space overlooking the serene landscape of Lake Takataki. This architectural element provided an ideal setting for Shibata’s ethereal hanging pieces. Suspended from the ceiling, the white sculptures seemed to levitate, turning the entire atrium into a radiant, dreamlike environment.
Softly illuminated from below, the pieces cast mesmerizing shadows on the surrounding surfaces, creating an immersive relationship between the objects and their environment. Shibata’s manipulation of light and shadow eloquently expresses her themes of micro and macro perspectives: a subtle acknowledgment that the tiniest details can encompass entire universes.
Visitors were encouraged to wander through the installation, interacting with the art from various viewpoints. The quiet ambiance heightened the delicate motions of the paper in response to air movements, providing a reflective and almost spiritual experience.
The Artists Behind the Exhibition
Ayumi Shibata is accompanied in this dynamic exhibition by two other pioneering Japanese artists:
– Tomoko Fuse, recognized as one of Japan’s foremost origami artists, is celebrated for her modular origami designs that blend mathematical accuracy with minimalist elegance.
– Noriko Ambe delves into topographical paper cutting, producing layered works that mimic geological features or human tissue—her art prompts viewers to contemplate time, space, and the human form.
Together, this trio challenged the perception of paper as a static or disposable medium. Instead, they highlighted its versatility, resilience, and emotional depth through techniques that merge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary artistry.
More Than an Exhibition—A Reawakening
Ultimately, Poem of Life serves not just as a visual delight; it invites audiences to pause and reflect on the often unseen connections that link us—to one another, to the environment, and to something greater. By stripping away color and focusing on the purity of white paper, Ayumi Shibata enables the form, light, and significance of her creations to take the spotlight.
Her contributions to the Micro and Macro Universe of Paper Art are not only demonstrations of technical expertise but also serve as reminders of art’s exceptional ability to surpass material confines and elicit profound personal and collective sentiments.
For those who cannot witness the exhibition in person, Shibata provides a glimpse into her creative world through videos on her Instagram and YouTube channels, where the serene poetry of her artistic process unfolds.
Explore more:
– Website: https://www.ayumishibata.com/
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayumishibatart/
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9KVHKNONG8FYbjqwYcQ-w
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