KUMI YAMASHITA
Kumi Yamashita, born in 1968 in Takasaki, Japan, received her Master of Fine Arts from Glasgow School of Art and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.
“Mountain and Valleys,” the name of her new series, refers not only to the landscape topography, but also to two of the simplest folds within the art of origami. If one unfolds an origami crane, for example, the name “crane” is no longer relevant. The unfolded crane doesn't resemble a crane.
“Paper Cup” is part of the new series. The unfolded paper cup doesn't resemble a paper cup. It resembles a strange terrain, some sort of unreadable map.”Paper Cup” explores the idea that we move through a mysterious world without ever fully knowing its true shape.
Kumi’s international solo shows include the Seattle Art Museum, Boise Art Museum, Roswell Museum, Yerba Buena Center, the Esplanade in Singapore, Hillside Gallery in Tokyo, and Kent Gallery in New York City. Group shows include the Louvre’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Honolulu Museum of Art, Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Liverpool Biennial, Southeast Center for Contemporary Art, Scottish Parliament, Karşı Sanat Çalışmaları in Istanbul and the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial.
She continues to exhibit internationally.