山浦のどか個展 「ゆれて、ひかり、おどる、きおく。」

Nodoka Yamaura

"Swing, Shiny, Joy and Memories."

2023.07.14 - 2023.08.26
11:00 -19:00 (Closes at 17:00 on Saturdays)
*Closed on Sundays, Mondays & Public Holidays

ABOUT

ART FOR THOUGHT is pleased to present the solo exhibition “Swing, Shiny, Joy and Memories.” of a Japanese washi paper artist, Nodoka Yamaura. The exhibition continues from July 14 through August 26, 2023, as the first installment of “the foundry” series exhibition.

Surrounded by the abundant natural light in Tokushima, Yamaura has been working in a Japanese washi paper atelier. Though our daily lives are flooded with artificial light emitted from digital devices, LED signages, etc, she’s trying to show us how the soft light from washi paper can cast shadows that are full of life.

Please enjoy the refreshing light and shadows in this exhibition, the very first show since the gallery's renewal.

ARTIST STATEMENT

When we see/perceive/sense light, what do we feel and think?
In early spring of 2020, just before the Covid-19 pandemic erupted, I had a chance to encounter with Awa Washi paper and moved my living base from Tokyo to Tokushima (western part of Japan, eastern side of the island Shikoku). Clear water and abundant mountain resources are essential for making washi. The Yoshino River flows through Tokushima Prefecture, and the washi made with water from the Kawata River, which branches off from the Yoshino River, evokes the warm light of blessings in the material itself, allowing us to envision how the trees are growing in the natural light and how the shimmering reflection of the water's surface look like. 

During the past three years, I have been visiting the river and walking in the nearby mountains, pouring light on myself as well as on the washi paper. Naturally, I have come to choose motifs and scenes derived from nature for my artwork. 
However, the light that moves me in my daily life, is the light that comes across in ordinary life but shines and sparkle in a special way, like a jewel that seems to be within reach but is not, and the light that generates a longing to gaze upon forever, like something extraordinary. I try to visualize this sense and feel of light in my work. 

Also, my interest in the pairing of light and shadow where "light enables us to see shadows, and shadows enable us to see light” makes me experiment with the shades of color and the thickness and overlapping of the papers, which eventually brings forth new phenomena of light.

SELECTED ARTWORKS

CREDITS

Photo: Tetsuya Yamamoto

Video: Taiki Sugioka

Curation: Keiichiro Tao

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1990. Graduated from Tokyo Zokei University with a major in Graphic Design in 2015 and currently lives and works in Tokushima Prefecture.

Nodoka Yamaura has been working with materials that harmonize with light and nature, such as Japanese paper, sand, and indigo, while incorporating light, space, and the atmosphere of viewing artworks into her concept. Since around 2014, she has been creating original patterns that look like braided fabrics and can be linked to various environments and motifs and named this technique "NODOKA". She has exhibited her works in the U.S., Northern Europe, and other countries, and has participated in artist-in-residence programs. Since 2020, she has been working at Awagami Factory in Tokushima, where she is involved in the production of Awa handmade Washi paper.

WEB: yamauranodoka.com

Instagram: @nodoka.yamaura

PERMANENT EXHIBITION LOCATION

2019　Archipelago Art Residency in Korpo AARK.fi (Turku, Finland)

2019　Awagami Artist In Residence (Tokushima, Japan)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2016　Relax Time. @ Hyakunen (bookstore) in Kichijoji, Tokyo

2017　Toy Shop! @ Kamome Books (bookstore) in Kagurazaka, Tokyo

　　　 BAGLE PARTY. @ HB Gallery (art gallery) in Omotesando, Tokyo

2018　Muscat Day @ dish (cafe) in Yoyogi-Uehara, Tokyo

　　　 yamaura nodoka. Solo exhibition @ niji garo (gallery) in Kichijoji, Tokyo

2023　Swing, Shiny, Joy and Memories. @ ART FOR THOUGHT in Ginza, Tokyo

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2017　Tsubomi Collection vol.1 in San Francisco Society for Asian Art (San Francisco, USA)

2018　Tsubomi Collection vol.2 in Houston Asia Society Texas Center (Houston, USA)

2019　Archipelago Art Residency in Korpo AARK.fi (Turku, Finland)

2019　Awagami Artist In Residence 2019 (Tokushima, Japan)

2021　ONNA HOUSE (New York City, USA)

2023　NIGHTTIME ART FAIR, SHIMANTO (Kochi, Japan)

AWARDS

2016　15th “1_WALL” Graphics Award

2017　INK de JET! JET! JET! × ZOKEIHEIWA Paper Award

COLLABORATIONS

2019　Nodoka Yamaura x BONJAPONE (Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store, Japan)

BOOK FAIR

2016　Tokyo Art Book Fair (Kita-Aoyama, Japan)

2017　Tokyo Art Book Fair (Terada Warehouse, Japan)

　　　 Taipei Art Book Fair (Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei)

2018　Taipei Art Book Fair (Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei)

PRESS

・U35 Creator Encyclopedia (Shoeisha)

・FOCUS Tokushima (Shikoku Broadcasting Co., Ltd.), etc.

ART WORK

・Influenza and Other Infections Poster visual (Tokyo University)

・TOKYO OPERA CITY BRILLIANT CHRISTMAS 2019 Main visual (Tokyo Opera City), etc.

See Exhibitions List