CHIHARU SHIOTA. EXPOSING AN INNER UNIVERSE

26.02.2026 - 25.04.2026

I imagine a person sitting at the table, writing or sketching. Their thoughts and feelings spilling out of their head, spreading from the table, moving up the wall, their imagination has no limits, forming a landscape of emotions that connects their inner world with the outside. The landscape is like its own universe, a different planet, organic yet alien. This inner universe seems vast and structured, full of complexity, unresolved conflicts, and hidden harmony. It represents who they truly are beyond social roles, nationality, culture, religion, and other constructs that seem natural like the shape of the wire, but at the same time restricts their true self.
This universe cannot be fully known by others. No matter how close we are: parents, friends, partners, or neighbors, we never completely know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Some emotions are too complex for words.
Like the wire shaped into organic forms, the exposed self may appear gentle or natural but remains hard and tough. Revealing one’s inner universe is an act of courage, it means giving up control over how others hold our deepest reality. There is no guarantee they will understand.
Allowing others to see the most private parts of ourselves can be terrifying. Exposure can lead to misunderstanding or judgment. An inner universe that seems vast and complex may be simplified, labeled, or distorted to fit someone else’s expectations or experiences. Sharing these feelings is meant to create connection, but can instead lead us to withdraw.
I want to reveal what is often left unsaid even if it is difficult and terrifying. Creating art means to me to express what words cannot and to reveal parts of myself that are even hidden from myself. In the end, what I reveal is open to interpretation and judgment and has no true answer.
Art is a journey into the mind, forcing people who are exposed to it to push forward into their unconsciousness to confront the unseen and the unknown. By facing these hidden parts of ourselves, art makes us see things in new ways, helps us understand ourselves and the world better, and makes us more aware. It reveals truths and inspires change, connecting our inner thoughts with the world around us and linking our personal experiences to something larger.

– Chiharu Shiota