Year: 2021
Medium: water-soluble wax pastel, ink, thread on paper
Dimensions: 27 x 37 cm (10 5/8 x 14 1/2 in.)
Acquired from KENJI TAKI GALLERY, 2022
The theme of the universe often appears in Shiota's work. She repeatedly expresses that the threads represent the universe, blood and the heart-to-heart connection. In this work, there are threads connecting two people facing each other. The title "Connecting with the Universe" implies that for Shiota, the universe also includes the meaning of internal universe of the human being, such as the soul and spirit. The threads that connect people to each other may at the same time represent the mutual connection of people to people, universe to universe. In Shiota's drawings, bubble-like depictions of webs spouting from people or ships can sometimes be seen. But in this work, they surround the figures. The lines and threads drawn by Shiota do not only connect A and B in a linear fashion, but rather bypass various obstacles and difficulties, and encompasses the whole while being intricately intertwined. Theis relates to Shiota’s installation works, where threads are multiplied and overlapped to create complex web. It also may be related to the fact that she often uses inclusive models such as fruit bunches and internal organs in her sculptures like glass works.
