April 03, 2025

“In Search of Solitude” A Solo Exhibition by Shouya Grigg at KYO AMAHARE

In the northernmost reaches of Japan, where ancient forests meet volcanic peaks, photographer and creative director Shouya Grigg has spent over two decades pursuing a profound dialogue with nature. His work, presented here within the intimate spaces of a 130-year-old Kyo-machiya, reveals moments of transcendent connection between human consciousness and the natural world.

Grigg's artistic practice emerges from extended periods of solitude in Hokkaido's pristine landscapes. Through his lens, we witness not merely observations of nature, but rather a meditation on the liminal spaces where human perception dissolves into pure experience. His black and white photographs, which he describes as "quieter" than color, strip away the superficial to reveal the essential character of each scene.

The exhibition represents a convergence of traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary artistic vision. Each photograph is printed on handcrafted washi paper, its organic fibers creating a dialogue with the images themselves. Over these prints, Grigg applies intricate hand-drawn details and charcoal highlights, creating layers that echo the sophisticated restraint of sumi-e painting while establishing a uniquely contemporary visual language.

This layered approach mirrors the Japanese concept of "ma" - the meaningful spaces between things - and embodies the principle of "yugen" - the subtle profundity that lies beneath the surface. The works exist in a space between photography and painting, between representation and abstraction, between the temporal and the timeless.

The historic setting of KYO AMAHARE becomes an integral part of the viewing experience. Its aged wooden beams and weathered walls resonate with Grigg's exploration of wabi-sabi - the beauty found in imperfection and the patina of time. As visitors move through the machiya's intimate spaces, they encounter photographs that seem to emerge from shadows, each one inviting a moment of contemplative silence.

Through this exhibition, Grigg shares not just images but an invitation to experience the kind of deep solitude that allows us to hear the whispers of the natural world. His work reminds us that in an age of increasing disconnection from nature, there remains the possibility of profound communion with the world around us - if only we learn to look, and listen, with patience and presence.

These photographs, with their delicate interplay of light and shadow, texture and space, offer viewers more than aesthetic appreciation. They present an opportunity to rediscover our own capacity for solitude, contemplation, and connection with the essential rhythms of the natural world. In doing so, they suggest that perhaps what we seek in solitude is not isolation, but rather a deeper form of belonging.


Exhibition Period:
April 11 (Fri) – May 13 (Tue), 2025
※ Closed on Wednesdays and April 24 (Thu)

◇ Artist's Scheduled Presence:
April 11 (Fri), 12 (Sat)

◇ Venue:
KYO AMAHARE Ni-no-Kai @kyo_amahare
127 Aburaya-cho, Takoyakushi-dori, Yanaginobanba Higashi-iru,
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8063, Japan
TEL: +81-75-256-3280
E-mail: kyo@amahare.jp
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 19:00

◇Reservation:
No reservation is required for this exhibition. Please feel free to visit at your convenience.

 

Profile |Shouya Grigg

Zaborin/ SOMOZA/SHIGUCHI 　Founder & Creative Director

  • 1994: Relocated to Japan and began his journey as a DJ in clubs and on the radio. Later established a design company in Sapporo, where he expanded his work from conceptual design to website creation, encompassing all facets of design. Concurrently, he began his career as a photographer, drawing from his experiences in Australia.
  • 2005: Opened the restaurant Sekka in Niseko.
  • 2007: Completed J-sekka, a multifaceted complex in Niseko combining dining, condominiums, and activities. He launched the Sekka Brand, focusing on crafting architectural masterpieces with meticulous attention to detail, from conceptualization to construction and interiors. As Sekka Brand or Shouya Grigg, he garnered widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally.
  • 2014: Opened the luxury ryokan Zaborin in Niseko's Hanazono district.
  • 2016: Launched Sekka Lab, a dining, bar, and gallery space.
  • 2017: Revitalized a 150-year-old traditional farmhouse to create somoza.
  • 2022: Opened shiguchi, further expanding his creative footprint.

Shouya Grigg’s lifestyle itself is a form of art. Everything surrounding him transforms into art through his unique perspective, embodying the essence of creativity and design.

 

Artist Web Site | https://shiguchi.com/discover