The Labyrinthine Path through Grief

Artist Motoi Yamamoto's installations are exercises to aid his healing.

Motoi Yamamoto, installation art, design, grief, healing, death, cancerJapanese installation artist Motoi Yamamoto was born in Onomichi, Hiroshima, and worked in a dockyard before studying at Kanazawa College of Art. He now lives in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.

After his sister’s death to brain cancer over a decade ago, Yamamoto adopted salt as his primary medium. Following the symbolism in Japanese culture, salt is a symbol of purification, as well as a necessary element for human life. The artist uses loose salt to create intricate labyrinths directly onto gallery floors, or in baked brick form to create larger interior structures. As the labyrinth pattern would suggest, Yamamoto views his work as a path through his grieving process. Although the creation of these impermanent designs is seemingly futile, he considers them exercises necessary to his healing.

Motoi Yamamoto, installation art, design, grief, healing, death, cancer

Motoi Yamamoto, installation art, design, grief, healing, death, cancer

Motoi Yamamoto, installation art, design, grief, healing, death, cancer

Motoi Yamamoto, installation art, design, grief, healing, death, cancer

Sources:
The Artist’s Blog
Artist a Day
motoi.biz
FacebookTwitterPinterestShare
This entry was posted in Soulful Expressions and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to The Labyrinthine Path through Grief

  1. avatar Grace says:

    What lovely salt patterns. It’s like meditation.

    Report this comment

  2. avatar tiffany says:

    Yamamoto has channeled his grief into breathtaking beauty. Thanks for sharing, Dana!

    Report this comment

  3. avatar Vicki says:

    Love to see amateur artists doing great things!

    Report this comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *