Aya Cagiu
2016. 9.23(Fri.) - 10.8(Sat.)
12:00 - 19:00(closed on Mon., Sun. & Public Holiday)
Reception 9.23(Fri.) 17:30-19:30
Song
"夜の舟” 2016, 10.8 x 14.9 x 2cm, silk embroidery on cloth
"讃歌” 2016, 20 x 20 x 2cm, silk embroidery on cloth
Showcase MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY 5-4-14 4F Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY is pleased to present Aya Cagiu’s 4th solo exhibition, “Song (Uta)”.
Aya Cagiu graduated from Tama Art University in 2001, where she studied Sculpture.
Cagiu has been pursuing the subject “Prayer” with employing hand embroidery as her main medium.
Embroidery has been dated to the Warring States period of ancient China, between 5th to 3rd Century BC. In Japan, it is believed that “shubutsu” (embroidered Buddha) flourished particularly during the Asuka Period, during which time it acquired a special meaning for the act of prayer.
Back in the era, the act of embroidery, decorating and drawing embraced a notion of prayers - by working on their hand, ancient people sealed their prayers for the tough nature in the objects, with the wish to be pitied.
Traditional folk techniques have been passed from generation to generation in a wealth of cultures. Embroidery itself has been tightly connected to the cultures of various countries. In addition to the decoration of clothes, it also has a close relationship to prayer.
Sadly, the traditional act of hand-making embroidery is being lost due to drastic changes and developments in economics, society and politics. Cagiu is attempting to revive the mystical significance of prayer through the art of embroidery.
Through her sophisticated original artwork, we can learn how embroidery can become an expression beyond a handcraft.
“The idea of ‘concerns’ inspires me as an artist”, Cagiu says;
“I concern and respect people through my works. These might not be things that can usually be felt, but I hope you can feel them through my work.
That is probably what my prayer is.”
Her intricate and warm-hearted works evoke universal human feelings such as happiness and sadness.
Under the theme “Songs”, Cagiu will release twelve new works created from the inspirations of music, poems and nature.
The title of the exhibition "Songs" was selected because of its connection to the acts of singing and poetry, as well as its relationship to traditional Japanese poetry called “Waka,” in which feelings are expressed by scenes of nature.
In a similar way to how a poet may write a poem, her works attempt to capture things that cannot usually be seen through two eyes.
Her new works include motifs such as a spider’s web and lemon, as well as abstract expressions. Cagiu continues to widen her view of the world with each new work she produces.
We hope you enjoy Aya Cagiu’s solo exhibition, “Song(Uta)” at showcase MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY.