Between Light And Shadow

Minako Shirakura (JP)

Minako Shirakura has recently been investigating the ordinary. She believes that the ordinary can be extraordinary when viewed in a new context, and subtly brings to our attention the things that are usually taken for granted. She attempts to review from a new perspective what exists in between the conscious and subconscious.

The idea is her driving force, and although she uses a range of different materials to give her ideas form, glass has always had a central place in her work. Shirakura is respectful of the materiality of glass, and has learned how to integrate it with a range of other mediums including: video, fabric, paper, metal and wood. The transparent qualities of glass, and the play between light and shadow are frequent areas for investigation.

Minako Shirakura has a Master of Fine Art from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in Sculpture/Dimensional Studies, and a Postgraduate Diploma and a Bachelor from Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland. Shirakura has attended courses, exhibitions and artist in residencies in Asia, Europe and the USA. She is currently an artist in residence at Nordic Artists’ Centre Dalsåsen at Dale in Sunnfjord.