CHISATO SHINYA: VISIBLE SHAPES / INVISIBLE SHAPES

HAPPENINGText: Jeremie Cortial

Chisato Shinya , alias Kinpro, is an illustrator who’s settled in Sapporo, Japan. Although she is generally working for edition and prints, this exhibition was for her a special occasion to switch her mind and explore different terrain. The result is a variety of experimentations, such as a chair created in collaboration with a designer friend, some large-sized posters, sculptures, and installations. You will also find original goods and T-shirts edited exclusively for the exhibition. During two weeks, we could enjoy these works at Soso Cafe.

When you watch her images, at first, we feel free and enjoy going and searching in patterns. The vector forest is inspired by typical Japanese tree species, which constitute a kind of ecosystem, with its own life and population. The landscapes made of simple contrasts are vast peaceful places, but sometimes, anecdotal elements come to disturb them. Curious discoveries, sometimes tragic apparitions take away our imagination. In any case, it inspires answering your questions by playing searching in the images, between and under the patterns, as well as you feel it

According to Chisato Shinya, the imagination of people is the most important thing. She works on producing images that will be the background of your own stories. The forms of the trees and under the trees, unexpected objects, or mysterious characters contain infinite questions and answers. The composition is alchemy that will make you slide in the realm of your imagination. She loves listening to people telling what they imagine in front of her pictures. In the same way, today, anyone can express his feelings and dreams in illustration and diffuse it easily thanks to the democratization of graphic tools. But to create things, the most important thing is heart.

At first, she aimed to be a graphic designer, but one day, her teacher gave her advice to concentrate on her real dream which was illustration. As far as she can remember, she has loved Dick Bruna’s characters Miffy since she was a child. It has always been an icon for her. Now, she’s also interested in many artists such as the Italian designer Bruno Munari or the graphic artist Keiji Ito. She has always kept a ludic approach of creation. Now she has for project the production of an illustrated book without text, based on a story.

Nature has a special place in her work. From the room where she works, she has a view on the sunset changing the colors of the mountains. When we ask her where this fascination comes from, she tells about the serenity we can feel facing a forest. The equilibrium of nature is at the same time fragile and strong. In a forrest, trees live there from such a long time that they inspire respect, and make us feel really secure. Perhaps, you’ve got your favorite secret tree too, somewhere in a park or in town. If you still haven’t, find one, try to touch it, and watch what happens!

Visible Shapes / Invisible Shapes
Chisato Shinya Exhibition

Date: 30th September – 25th October, 2002
Open: 11:00 – 23:00 (Sundays: until 21:00)
Place: Soso Cafe
Address: 1F Sansei Bld., South 1 West 13 Chuo-ku, Sapporo
Tel: +81 (0)11 280 2240
https://www.shift.jp.org/soso/

Text: Jeremie Cortial
Photos: Jeremie Cortial

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