Forms of Light

Sat, 22 AprilSat, 27 May, 2023

ShugoArts Roppongi

Ritsue MISHIMA, VENERE, 2023, glass, 36x23x22cm

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Ritsue MISHIMA, VENERE, 2023, glass, 36x23x22cm

At the beginning of each year and on other occasions, I visit Shinto shrines. I am always interested in looking at the mirrors and pure white paper hangings placed at the end of the shrine toward which I put my hands together to pray. In a similar way, looking at the ancient ritual objects in the museum, I wonder why they are shaped like that. I am attracted to “forms” that people have continued to create in order to honor something invisible.

Over the past three years or so, I lost my family members and friends, and I have had many opportunities to meet people who lost their loved ones. When people think and pray for someone beyond the reality of the here and now, they may seek some type of form. I have long felt that there is a mystery lurking in my glasswork. So, I would like to start a journey now, once again, to explore the Forms of Light.

March 2023 Ritsue Mishima

About Exhibition

Ritsue MISHIMA, RIVERBERO, 2023, glass, 35.5x18x18cm

Last year, Ritsue Mishima became the first Japanese artist to hold a solo exhibition at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice. Mishima’s profound knowledge of the culture and history of Venetian glass and her innovative expression were recognized through the exhibition, which was awarded the “Fondazione di Venezia Award” at the Venice Glass Week held at the same time. Mishima’s powerful activities that transcend borders have inspired not only art, but also architecture, crafts, fashion, and design, and she was honored with BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS 2022, which celebrates her achievements as a brilliant woman.

Ritsue MISHIMA, VITA, 2023, glass, 12×22.5x12cm

Ritsue Mishima, who moved to Venice in 1989 and eventually began attending a glass studio on the island of Murano, has considered light itself an important element in her work since the beginning. She has continued to express its rich expressions and shadows through colorless, transparent glass. She has always had a keen sensitivity and insight into primordial forms and the environment that surrounds us. And with this backdrop, the artist has been able to sustain her creativity.

The concept of Forms of Light is one that Mishima has cultivated through many years of artmaking. We have a habit of worshipping and wearing symbolic objects to gain strength when we are reminded of someone in our memories, when we are guided by strong beliefs, and when we feel grateful to be alive. There are various layers of dimensions in this world, and we may be kept alive by connecting them to reality through “form.” Therefore, bringing “form” into this world is truly a fundamental and creative act. We hope you will enjoy the new works of Ritsue Mishima, an artist of light.

March 2023 ShugoArts

Ritsue MISHIMA, DEA, 2023, glass, 46×37.5×32.5cm

Information

Ritsue MISHIMA "Forms of Light"

Dates

Saturday, 22 April – Saturday, 27 May 2023

Venue

ShugoArts

Hours

11am ‒ 6pm, Closed on Sun, Mon and Public Holidays

Curated by Minako Ishii

Press release

Contact

Ritsue MISHIMA

Related Exhibition

Ritsue MISHIMA "a casa mia"

Date

Friday, 28 April – Sunday, 7 May 2023

Venue

CORNER at KYOTO (ARTS&SCIENCE)

Ritsue MISHIMA

View Detail

Born in Kyoto, Japan in 1962. Mishima moved to Venice in 1989. Having established a residence in Kyoto in 2011, she lives and works between the two cities. Collaborating with glassmiths on Murano Island, Italy, the artist takes advantage of the translucency and viscosity of Venetian glass in order to create clear glass sculptures, which bear the contours of light while becoming parts of the environments. Since Mishima’s sculptures visualize the energy of the exhibited spaces by absorbing the surrounding air and light, they have received high praise as public artworks as well. Currently the artist is expanding her practice beyond fine art through collaborating with different creative industries such as architecture, fashion and design. Solo exhibition “RITSUE MISHIMA – GLASS WORKS” at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice in 2022, awarded the Fondazione di Venezia award for the best project in the Venice section of The Italian Glass Weeks. The artist also received BVLGARI AVRORA AWARDS 2022.

Selected solo exhibitions: Forms of Light, ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2023; RITSUE MISHIMA ‒ GLASS WORKS, Gallerie dellʼAccademia, Venice, 2022; HALL OF LIGHT, ShugoArts, Tokyo, 2019-2020; In Grimani. Ritsue Mishima Glass Works, Museum of Palazzo Grimani, Venice, 2013; As it should be, Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, 2011; Frozen garden / Fruits of fire, Museum Boijmans, Rotterdam, 2010.
Selected group exhibtions: Wonderment Noe Aoki / Ritsue Mishima, Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, Tokyo, 2024; Asia Corridor Contemporary Art Exhibition, Culture City of East Asia 2017 Kyoto, Nijo Castle, Kyoto, 2017; Yokohama Triennale, Yokohama Museum of Art, Kanagawa, 2014; the 53rd International Art Exhibition: Venice Biennale, Venice Pavilion, Venice, 2009