Kimono artists Fukumi Shimura and her daughter Yoko have dedicated their lives to the traditional art of kimono making. Their kimonos are handmade from silk floss and coloured with plant dyes. This process results in unique designs with individual, mostly abstract patterns. Fukumi Shimura, whose art is rooted in the Japanese folk art movement was proclaimed “Holder of an Intangible Cultural Heritage” (Living National Treasure) for dyeing and weaving Japanese silk.

To highlight the lightness and colour of the textiles, we designed spatial installations that refer to Japanese constructions, which allow visitors to see the kimonos’ beauty and creation directly.

Many Art Nouveau artists and designers were inspired by Japanese art. Motifs, style and techniques show this influence.
The museums’ collection of objects, photographs, paintings and graphics connects this Japonism with the work of Fukumi and Yoko Shimura.