Artist Residency, Onishi, Fujioka, Gunma, Japan

Artist Residency August 2015 Onishi

At Shiro Oni Residency I continued working with paper as it was so much on my mind…and when I first saw the window in my studio I knew I wanted to activate the space from both inside the studio and the street — using paper, light and air. The inside/outside concept was important to me – I feel close to Japanese culture and sensibility but I know I am an outsider and that many Japanese concepts are hidden to me.

Summer Window: old book paper, string, nori glue, sun, air

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inside

outside (with motion graphics by Kurumi Shiowaki and sound by Momoko Negishi)

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There is a fantastic antique shop in Onishi where I found many books to use as raw material and for imagery.

I found an old paperback book from the 1950’s filled with advice for young mothers…so I imagined for myself a Japanese mother: the photo on the cover of the book.

My Imaginary Japanese Mother:

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