Chiharu Shiota’s Breathtaking Work Of Red And Black Wool Is Set To Fill GOMA This Winter

GOMA was supposed to have been home to acclaimed Japanese performance and installation artist Chiharu Shiota’s astonishing work “The Soul Trembles” way back in 2020. The massive installation of red and black wool sculptures—woven and weaved to create stunning labyrinths in exploration of body, space, memory and personal narratives among other themes—opens at GOMA on Saturday 18 June in what will be an Australian exclusive exhibition. 

“The Soul Trembles” first premiered in Tokyo in 2019 and showcases the Berlin-based artist’s work from the past quarter-century. The most eye-catching installations are styled from millions of strands of wool and take up entire rooms, absorb into their web-like form objects, or are attached to specific items. Although we’re not sure which pieces will make the trip to Brisbane, we do know that video performance, photography and drawing will also form part of the largest-ever solo exhibition by the artist.

Other themes that Shiota works with include anxiety, dreams and silence while other works have dealt with human consciousness and life-after-death. “Where do I go when my body is gone? When my feet do not touch the ground anymore,” Shiota has said.

These are not the lightest of themes to deal with, and yet Shiota does so in ways that are fascinating and visually attractive. Her her transformative installations draw you in, are mesmerising and can leave you speechless. Walk around them, under them and possibly even through them.

In collaboration with GOMA, “The Soul Trembles” is organised by Mami Kataoka, Curator and Deputy Director at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. It will be on display from Saturday 18 June to 3 October at GOMA.

Like last year’s Australian exclusive exhibit, European Masterpieces From The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Chiharu Shiota’s “The Soul Trembles” is also ticketed.

Get your tickets below.