Ayumi Shibata paper art is as enchanting as it gets. Presented in glass vessels that are illuminated from within, her pieces include magical forests and gardens, as well as whole entire cities, all made out of white sheets of paper.
Relying on traditional methods of Japanese paper cutting, Shibata draws attention to the power dynamics between man and nature, allowing for a helpful discussion about the ways in which we treat (and, ofter, mistreat) our environment.
According to Shibata, much like humans, paper has its own personality and traits, which she brings forward through her work. “It is important for me to understand the personality of each piece of paper,” she explained in an interview with ModeArte. “For example, the way the light affects it, the effects of the darkness, the thickness, the strength, how the humidity interacts with it, and what is it made of. I choose the paper for each project by considering its personality.”
When making her paper worlds, she also has to consider their scale and proportion, which dictates the viewing experience. While large works invite the viewer to engage within them, small artworks keep him in the position of an outside observer. “We observe small works as if looking through a keyhole into another world; constantly aware of our outsider status,” she says.
Take a careful look inside:
