EXHIBITION
UPCOMING EXHIBITION
Artistic Expression through Washi: From Tradition into the Future
Period January 30 (Thu) – February 21 (Fri), 2025
Left：Lighting Installation: “Irises Ⅲ”
Artist: Koji Shibazaki / Materials: Washi, acrylic, lamp / Dimensions: 3.15 × 3.15 × 29.13 inches / Year: 2019
The work displayed behind the lighting Installation: “Checkered Tapestry 2”
Artist: Koji Shibazaki / Materials: Washi tapestry / Dimensions: 35.43 × 157.48 inches / Year: 2022
Right：Lighting Installation: “Image of Hanging Wheel”
Artist: Koji Shibazaki / Materials: Washi, acrylic, lamp / Dimensions: 15.75 × 3.15 × 31.5 inches / Year: 2018
The work displayed behind the lighting Installation: Tapestry: “Sakura”
Artist: Mikako Suzuki / Materials: Washi tapestry / Dimensions: 37.01 × 72.83 inches / Year: 2018
This exhibition invites visitors to explore the unique artistic expressions created through washi, an iconic element of Japanese culture. Featuring softly illuminated washi lighting installations that evoke the serene beauty of wabi and katagami stencils that embody the quiet profundity of sabi, the exhibition offers an immersive experience of quintessential Japanese aesthetics.
The art of making washi originated during the Nara period (710–794 CE) and has been a cornerstone of Japanese culture for over 1,400 years. Its distinctive qualities have profoundly influenced Japanese art and, through the 19th-century Japonisme movement, left an indelible mark on Western art. Intricate designs of chiyogami and katagami inspired luminaries such as Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh, introducing new perspectives that shaped movements like Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement.
The works presented in this exhibition beautifully embody the concepts of wabi and sabi, which lie at the heart of Japanese aesthetics. Wabi conveys an elegant simplicity and a harmonious connection to nature, while sabi reflects the beauty found in impermanence and the quiet passage of time. These timeless principles remain deeply relevant to contemporary life and art.
The world of washi is one of simplicity and creativity. It continues to evolve, giving rise to new artistic expressions and designs. This exhibition celebrates the rich heritage of washi while envisioning its potential for the future. We invite you to delve into the profound traditions and boundless possibilities of washi.
●Washi lighting installations showcasing the beauty of wabi.
●Katagami and chiyogami designs embody the quiet profundity of sabi.
●A rediscovery of the global impact of katagami and chiyogami on art and design through Japonisme.
●Contemporary washi works utilizing recycled materials reflect a sustainable future.
●Playful displays of hidden “Little Demons” (oni) in the darkness, bringing delight to visitors.
Left：Decorative Paper: “Ryou-shi”
Artist: Mikako Suzuki / Materials: Washi, gold leaf, platinum leaf / Dimensions: 14.57 × 10.63 inches / Year: 2022
Right：Object: “Winter”
Artist: Mikako Suzuki / Materials: Ebony / Kirikane / Dimensions: Height 6.69 × Diameter 11.02 inches / Year: 2024
【Organizers and Supporters】
Organized by: The Nippon Club
Supported by: J.C.C. Fund
In cooperation with Kami no Ondo, Bunkeidoh Kobo & Hisae Ohyanagi, Ozu Washi, Aichi University of the Arts
Supervised by: Koji Shibazaki
Curated by: Shoko Hayashi
Principal exhibiting artists: Koji Shibazaki, Mikako Suzuki, Kanae Minamitsuji and Tomoyasu Sato
