VISUAL ART | Yoko Ichikawa

Stigma(2023)

サイアノタイプ、アクリル

Stigma

Using cyanotype, one of the classical development techniques, this work is based on the crucifixion theme, a traditional Christian theme.

The work was created. in Assisi, Perugia, Umbria, Italy.This portrait is also created using the artist's body, focusing on the stigmata that appear on the crucified Christ's hands, feet, and body.

I've always felt a "fluctuating " identity between my Christianity and Japan's distinctive religious views. The white limbs floating in deep blue give the impression of a vivid, unrealistic ghostly figure. This work represents his own religious beliefs, memories, and the fluctuation of his identity.

Open Air Project "ANCIENT LEGENDS REINTERPRETED"*

Ancient Legends Reinterpreted is a joint open-air exhibition by Yoko Ichikawa and Ultramarinedream. Both artists found inspiration in ancient spiritual archetypes during their FaveLAB Artist Residency in Athens in June 2024.

The two ONE+ONE artists have used their cultural resources to interpret Greek trademarks from the collections of the National Archaeological Museum, such as the bronze statue of Zeus/Poseidon of Artemision and the Attic late geometric amphora by the Dipylon Painter, thus creating fresh and colourful drawings.

Ancient Legends Reinterpreted focuses on two challenging topics of our times: how tourists understand and integrate a famous yet foreign culture into their own aesthetic and conceptual background and how extreme weather phenomena can force artists to leave their comfort zone of gallery shows and experiment with innovative presentations.

Due to a heatwave, the planned exhibition has been changed to an open-air action starting Saturday, 15 June 2024, at 2:00 PM. Posters of the artworks are displayed to view, comment or appropriate in the streets of Athenian neighbourhoods such as Kypseli, Exarchia, Psyri and Kolonaki. Art lovers may also spot various works posted around Kypseli Square, along Fokianos Negri and in the Kypseli neighbourhood.

*Excerpt from the project page on Fave LAB

https://www.favelab.net/exhibitions_oneplusone/11_ichikawa-ultramarinedream.html

God is here

The total number of Catholics in Japan is said to be only 450,000. I was raised in a Catholic family in my hometown Maebashi City, Gunma Pref. Being baptized as a Catholic as an infant, I have felt close to God as a Christian from an early age.

It is considered to be taboo to talk about religion in Japan. This is because Japanese media have reported on religion in a negative light, purporting it as a damaging construct rather than a part of our culture. In this sense, I feel displeased with Japan's perspective on religion.

This artwork is a visualization of the existence of God. Olive trees grown in Maebashi were used as materials, and the photos were shot there. For me, religion is culture and a part of my identity. I attempted to express Christianity as an artist through artwork.