Absentee — Sayuri Ichida

Absentee

In this series, Ichida focuses on the temporality of our existence. Centered around her own body, juxtaposed with everyday objects we normally overlook, the boundary between the figure and man−made objects disappears and blends to evoke an ever−changing state of being. This body of work is an evocative depiction of a sense of detachment, an absence, from self and reality.

After she lost her mother in her late teens, Ichida shielded herself from thoughts about death. However, 15 years later, the psychological impact of the global pandemic triggered a period of grief and mourning. Creating this series enabled Ichida to overcome emotional difficulties such as uncertainty and anxiety caused by the reminder of death. Objects gradually reveal their presence, alluding to varying emotional states. The visual dichotomy between the curves of the body and the harsh artificial lines found in man−made objects reflects ways in which her emotional state fluctuates between calmness and anxiety.

We have a tendency to neglect our own mortality. Our attempts to evade death thoughts are inevitably challenged, and we are forced to acknowledge our own fragility. A visceral recognition surfaces at times, reminding us of the transience of life.