Naomi Ota
Internationally exhibited
fibre artist Naomi Ota takes us on a spacial journey as rich as the
history of ikat weaving itself. Ota explores fibre/textile sculpture
that demonstrates an interpretation of particular issues of 'space'
derived from her on-going research into the formation of 'white ikat'.
It is traditionally practiced on the island in Yaeyama archipelagos,
the southernmost region of Ryukyu (former name of Okinawa), Japan.
Her
work asks us to imagine expanses of time and space where fibre based
textures engage in delicate play with references to bleached pathways
of coral bones and sacred groves.
We reminded of the unfolding rhythms
of everyday life together with beauty and power of nature. Essential
here is the tension between the sureness and structure of pieces themselves
and the sublime space and sense of stillness they evoke.
The installation
will be constructed with a number of fibre sculptures and some two-dimensional
works. It will sensitively focus on the nature of space itself along
with objects to be arranged.
Ota's works have
been exhibited in various national and international exhibitions. She
recently participated in the 5th Triennial International Textile Exhibition
in Tournai, one of the major art events in Belgium for which she received
International program grant form Arts Victoria.
Ota is currently a PhD
candidate at RMIT. Her research is to investigate the aesthetics of
Yaeyama ikat in its relationship with environmental structure.
