Japanese artist Sho Shibuya, widely recognized for his daily meditation paintings featured on The New York Times covers, is presenting a new exhibition that transforms raindrops into profound artistic statements. The show, titled "Falling From The Sky," opens at Unit London this month and features 30 acrylic paintings decorated with trompe-l'oeil water droplets that examine both the beauty of precipitation and the fragility of peace.

Shibuya has built his reputation through tactile records of contemporary life, creating works that range from sharp commentary on global events to peaceful gradients depicting sky scenes. His paintings consistently explore elements both within and beyond human control, making him one of today's most observant artists documenting our times.

While most people prefer bright sunshine and clear skies, Shibuya finds endless inspiration in rainy weather. "I watch a downpour dance and drift across the glass, creating shapeshifting patterns, leaving streaks that track the wind," the artist explains. "I love the way these patterns never repeat, perpetually unique." This fascination with rain's unpredictable nature forms the foundation of his latest collection.

The 30 paintings in the exhibition showcase the remarkable diversity of wet weather conditions. Shibuya notes how sometimes observers see only haze when looking outside, while other moments surprise viewers with vivid rainbows of color. However, the artist expresses particular fondness for damp, gray forecasts, which hold personal significance for him.

"I met my wife on such a day," Shibuya reveals. "It was pouring when we both stepped into a quiet Japanese restaurant, each carrying an umbrella. Our first words, of course, were about the rain." This intimate connection to rainy weather adds another layer of meaning to his artistic exploration of precipitation.

Despite his reverence for rain, Shibuya doesn't ignore the broader implications of enjoying peaceful, darkened clouds. The artist draws stark contrasts between his comfortable observations and harsh realities elsewhere in the world. "In other parts of the world, the sky is not gentle," he reflects. "It's not rain that falls, but bombs. The same grey clouds that comfort me here cast shadows of fear elsewhere."

This sobering perspective infuses his work with deeper meaning beyond aesthetic appreciation. "Where I see beauty, others see smoke. Destruction. Silence broken not by soft drops, but by blasts," Shibuya continues. "That contrast stays with me. These paintings are not just invitations to pause and reflect, but reminders of what peace looks like. And how fragile it is."

The exhibition "Falling From The Sky" will be on display at Unit London from August 20 through September 17. Visitors can explore an archive of Shibuya's previous works on his Instagram account, which documents his ongoing artistic journey and daily meditations on contemporary life.