Japan-based artist Ayumi Shibata cuts figures from tens and tens of white paper sheets to compose multilayered landscapes full of a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere, inspired by nature and playing with lights, shadows, and textures.
Kami is the Japanese word meaning ‘god’, ‘divinity’, or ‘spirit’; but it also means ‘paper’. Kami reside within nature. They dwell in the sky, in the ground, in the wind as well as in various objects such as old trees, big rocks, and man-made creations. Kami move freely beyond time, universe and places, appearing during events, as well as in our houses and our bodies. These spirits also dwell in paper. In the religion of Shinto, white paper is considered as a sacred material. “Ya-o-yorozu no kami” is the term we use in the Japanese language to speak of the infinite gods and spirits who live together all around in the world and the universe. Working within this cultural framework, she uses the traditional method of Japanese paper cutting to bring attention to the delicate relationship we as humans have with the environment. Within work, she wants to create a discussion about how we relate and care about the world we were given.
Ayumi Shibata
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