Ayumi Shibata's Paper Sculptures Channel Shinto Spirits

Japanese artist Ayumi Shibata creates monumental paper installations that explore the Shinto concept of kami, which means both 'spirit' and 'paper' in Japanese. Her intricate white paper sculptures, considered sacred in Shinto, depict organic forms like forests, vortexes, and coral. A key work, 'Kamigami Forest,' invites viewers to walk through a layered cavity, mimicking a pilgrimage. Shibata describes each cut as a prayer, expressing gratitude for life. Her recent abstract pieces mark a shift toward more fluid representations of sacred spaces.