“Forms of Humans and Earth” presents works by Yukiko Shinkai and Natsumi, each exploring the relationship between humans and nature from their unique perspectives.

Yukiko Shinkai expresses through sculpture and installation that humans exist as part of the Earth, living within cycles of nature. At the core of her practice is the idea that everything in the world is interconnected—just as humans cannot survive without other living beings and nature. In contemporary society, where social media has made verbal communication dominant, she senses a diminishing opportunity to understand the world through the body. She believes that reinterpreting the world through bodily experience could help us reconnect with the essence of being human—our intrinsic relationship with the non-human. Her works invite viewers to reflect on this idea, evoking a deep connection between the body and nature.

On the other hand, Natsumi explores how we engage with the undefined aspects within ourselves through clothing and drawing. Just as words carry meaning, humans define themselves through comparison with others, gaining a fragile sense of security by attaching a “name” to their existence. Meanwhile, non-human beings grow fluidly, adapting to environmental changes and interactions with others—perhaps the most natural way of living. Through her work, She prompts viewers to reconsider this inherent way of being, encouraging them to reflect on their relationship with society, their independence, and the ways in which they present themselves.

Through the works of Yukiko Shinkai and Natsumi, “Forms of Humans and Earth” offers an opportunity to recognize the inseparable connection between humans and nature while providing new perspectives on the world around us.