"Personal Folklore - This seemingly contradictory phrase was coined to express the possible creation of culture that could potentially be cultivated by individuals who do not belong to a specific place or group in modern times through their own physical and mental activities." ICHIKAWA Yoko

The sentiments expressed by Ichikawa in the title of this exhibition are profoundly heartfelt. She has long been interested in primitive handicrafts and ethnology, as exemplified by Basho-fu (Kijoka Banana fiber Cloth), and the like. As she continues to live and create while intentionally engaging with such materials, she has developed deep feelings about the relationship between making things by hand, the natural environment, and human activities.

“Mimic,” a three-dimensional box made by stitching together flat pieces of leather, and “Spiral Pot,” a new series of basket-like objects made of twisted leather strips, are both solidified by applying lacquer, giving them a unique presence. These works transcend mere functional beauty, drawing us in with a visceral, almost breathing life force. ICHIKAWA's keen eye is evident in the transformation of materials and the traces of her creative gestures in stitching, weaving, and braiding, infusing her works with a distinct charm that only she can create. Her pieces, in which she contemplates origins and weaves a new, life-sized fabric where the essence of techniques and materials intertwines with her own roots, seems is a rarity in this day and age.