Image: a foggy past, 2024

Shinya Yamada, director of a renowned kimono workshop, has been dedicated to the reproduction and creation of historically significant textile works, making contributions to esteemed temples and shrines such as Enryakuji.

Deeply rooted in traditional Eastern aesthetics, Yamada rediscovered the profound essence of silence. Around 2015, he began creating meditative paintings using the unique dyeing and textile techniques of kimono.

The exhibition title, Kṣitigarbha, one of the Sanskrit names for Buddhist monk, also embodies the concept of “returning to the mother earth.” This exhibition seeks to restore the “aura” originally inherent in art.

Shinya Yamada’s multi-layered silk canvases, infused with mineral pigments, invite viewers to glimpse primordial landscapes within themselves, evoking a sense of deep connection and introspection.

Shinya Yamada|
Born in Kyoto in 1974. Major exhibitions include Shinya Yamada, Alma M, Romainmôtier (2024), Uchi ni arumono, Ryosokuin Temple, Kyoto (2022), Pulse of Silence, COCON KARASUMA, Kyoto (2021)