Chiharu Shiota was born in Osaka, Japan, and now lives and works in Berlin.
Chiharu Shiota, The Crossing, 2018, books & white wool
Confronting fundamental human concerns such as life, death and relationships, Shiota explores human existence throughout various dimensions by creating an existence in the absence either in her large-scale thread installations that include a variety of common objects and external memorabilia or through her drawings, sculptures, photography and videos.
In 2008, she received the Art Encouragement Prize from the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Her solo exhibitions across the world include Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2019); Gropius Bau, Berlin (2019); Art Gallery of South Australia (2018); Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK (2018); Power Station of Art, Shanghai (2017); K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Düsseldorf (2015); Smithsonian Institution Arthur M.Sackler Gallery, Washington DC (2014); the Museum of Art, Kochi (2013); and the National Museum of Art, Osaka (2008) among others.
She has also participated in numerous international exhibitions such as Oku-Noto International Art Festival (2017), Sydney Biennale (2016), Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale (2009) and Yokohama Triennale (2001). In 2015, Shiota was selected to represent Japan at the 56th Venice Biennale.
Chiharu Shiota, Beyond Memory, 2019, paper & wool
Not all her large-scale installations include paper components, however she makes use of a variety of everyday items usually either encased or suspended using wool, ropes or yarn.
Her website provides a fascinating insight into the variety of themes she embraces and her personal interpretations. Her latest solo exhibition, The Soul Trembles, will be shown at the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art from June 27 – October 5, 2020.
Resources:
http://www.chiharu-shiota.com/top & various gallery pages on her website
http://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/chiharu-shiota-the-soul-trembles
Photos by: (Beyond Memory) Ding Musa, (The Crossing) Zan Wimberley
Primrose Paper Arts Inc. 