ArtistAyumi Shibatapractices the Japanese art of paper cutting to create layered, three-dimensional sculptures.
When illuminated by light, the tiers of white paper glow to express a cinematic depth.
Not only is paper a convenient and inexpensive material, but it also has deep significance for the artist.
In Japanese, the word kami means god or spirit as well as paper.
Shibata is not intimidated by the blankness of a fresh sheet of paper and instead sees limitless possibilities.
Each layer of paper art is cut out freehand, without the use of any pencil outline.
All the artist needs to begin is the mental picture of the sculptural setting.
I believe that through cutting paper, I purify my mind and soul.
White paper expresses the yang, light explains Shibata.
(And) the process to cut expresses the yin or shadow.
In this way, she sees her act of making as embedding new life into every artwork.
The artist hopes that her paper worlds can serve as a place people can communicate and coexist with Kami.
Artist Ayumi Shibata practices the Japanese art of cutting paper.
She layers dozens of sheets together to create 3D cityscapes and forests.
