CHISATO MATSUMOTO

At the core of Matsumoto’s work is the interplay between the micro and the macro. She conceives each shibori knot as an independent entity—an “individual” within a larger system—mirroring the way people form societies or how stars cluster into galaxies. Through this lens, her work bridges human existence and the vast universe, revealing the interconnected energies that shape both.

Matsumoto’s process transforms fabric into dynamic, living forms, evoking the continuous cycle of creation and transformation. Each shibori grain—like a single star—accumulates into expansive constellations, reinforcing the fundamental unity of all things. In her hands, white fabric pulses with new life, becoming a conduit for universal forces. Though grounded in tradition, her work embodies an ever-expanding energy, echoing the rhythms of the Earth and the cosmos.

In Beyond the Stars (2021–2025), undulating fabric formations create a vast constellation, allowing visitors to walk beneath and experience the sensation of being both a singular presence and part of a collective whole. Hustle and Bustle (2025), inspired by the river networks of Shanghai, reflects the city’s ever-moving energy, with flowing blue light symbolizing the continuous pulse of life. Big Bang (2025) expands outward, embodying the formation of galaxies—an allegory for human societies where individuals assemble, disperse, and reform.

Through her sculptural explorations, Matsumoto reimagines fabric as a medium of profound connection, linking ancient techniques to contemporary expressions of existence. The Universe Twinkling in White invites viewers to step into a world where textiles transcend their materiality, resonating across time and space.

About Chisato Matsumoto

Born in Hiroshima in 1994, Chisato Matsumoto completed her PhD in Art Studies at Hiroshima City University in 2023. Currently, she lives and works in Hiroshima, Japan.

Matsumoto reinterprets traditional Japanese art and craft techniques for the modern day. She creates three-dimensional forms using shibori, a traditional Japanese tie-dyeing technique, and features the cloth tied with thread through various forms of expression such as installations, performances, and kinetic art. Manipulating the fabric to resemble human figures, Matsumoto incorporates the complex energies and dynamics of contemporary society into her work through abstract spatial modelling based on the theme of “the individual and the crowd”.

Recently, her work has expanded to explore Asian dyeing and weaving cultures, as she experiments with installations that incorporate floss silk.

About Miwa Kutsuna

****Miwa Kutsuna is a visiting professor at Tama Art University and the founder of Open Art Lab. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tama Art University in Tokyo, her master’s from Hongik University in Seoul, and her PhD from Tsinghua University in Beijing. She is currently also involved in diplomatic activities as an expert on East Asian arts and culture at the Tsinghua University Research Center for Japanese Studies. She curated the Textile and Signs exhibition in Fujiyoshida City in 2021, and in 2022, she served as the curator for an exhibition at the Powerlong Museum in Shanghai.

In 2023, Kutsuna curated Study: Osaka Kansai International Art Festival. As an expert on contemporary Japanese art, she has been a regular guest on The Art House, a Japanese TV show about art, since 2022.

Pearl Lam Galleries