SARI SHIBATA 柴田早理

At the last edition of KYOTOGRAPHIE, Sari Shibata was presented the Ruinart Japan Award. As part of the prize, Shibata undertook a residency at the historic champagne house’s headquarters in Reims, France. Watching the seasons shift among its surrounding fields and forests, Shibata created a body of work that follows the story of a woman who grows and matures like a grape.

In her practice, Shibata explores themes of environmental transformation and the impact of human activities. She was raised in a mountain village in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, but spent most of her adult life living in cities. This alienation from the natural world inspired her to reflect on humanity and nature through her art.

“I was worn out from work and daily life, but in Reims I was able to return to nature, and realised how deeply moving it could be,” she says. “Within the timeframe of the residency, I was reminded of nature’s uncontrollable power.”