"Niwa's Daphnes, crafted from pewter and adorned with flowers, appear sentient, blurring the lines between art and nature. The stems, forgotten overnight, continued to grow toward the light, showcasing their biological imperative."
"In her current show, Niwa hides cherry tomatoes in various locations, including track lights and HVAC vents, creating an interactive experience. The act of crushing a tomato implicates the viewer, making them part of the installation."
"Niwa describes her work as mischievous, inviting viewers to engage with the art in unexpected ways. The overripe tomatoes and paint spills challenge traditional notions of art and viewer interaction."
Umico Niwa's installations feature botanical elements, such as her Daphnes, which are pewter-cast twigs adorned with flowers and leaves. In her current show at the Portland gallery ILY2, she incorporates hidden cherry tomatoes and encourages viewer interaction by placing them in unexpected locations. The accidental crushing of tomatoes engages viewers, making them part of the artwork. Niwa's work reflects a mischievous spirit, inviting participants to reconsider their relationship with art and the materials used in its creation.
Read at Portland Monthly
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]