The Labyrinthine Path through Grief

Japanese 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.