Japanese artist Leiko Ikemura experienced a pivotal transformation in her artistic career in 1989, nearly twenty years after she had already been living and working in Europe. This crucial turning point occurred when she was invited to Fürstenau Castle near Thusis, a moment that would fundamentally reshape her creative direction. This transformative period in her artistic journey is now being showcased in a comprehensive exhibition at the Grisons Art Museum in Chur.
The exhibition reveals how Ikemura's artistic evolution was influenced by unexpected sources - a wood carver specializing in Virgin Mary sculptures in Granada, Spain, and the pastoral presence of cattle in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. These seemingly disparate elements served as creative catalysts that helped birth a new phase in the artist's work, marking a significant departure from her previous artistic approach.
Visitors to the Chur Art Museum must descend deep into the building's foundations to fully experience Ikemura's artistic vision. Once they reach the lowest level, they encounter what can only be described as an enlightening experience. The space opens up both inwardly toward the soul and outwardly toward infinite possibilities, creating a unique perspective that encompasses geological history, the unconscious mind, and the boundless expanse of the oceans.
On the museum's bottom floor, Ikemura has created an imaginative space with her artworks that immediately makes visitors forget they are standing ten to twenty meters below ground level. The environment she has crafted feels weightless, where traditional concepts of up and down lose all meaning and relevance. This disorienting yet liberating experience is central to understanding her artistic transformation.
For this exhibition, Ikemura has designed a sculpture garden specifically for the Chur Art Museum, strategically placing bronze figures on gravel islands throughout the space. Among the notable pieces is 'Rocket Girl I' (2024), which sits prominently in the arrangement. The back wall of the exhibition features her video installation 'Nocturno Vivo' (2022), creating a multimedia experience that combines her sculptural and digital artistic expressions.
The exhibition demonstrates how Ikemura's 1989 residency at Fürstenau Castle became a crucial turning point that connected her Japanese heritage with European influences, ultimately leading to the distinctive artistic voice that characterizes her current work. This synthesis of cultural influences and unexpected inspirations continues to define her artistic output decades later.
