At Whitestone Ginza New Gallery, the exhibition “Dimensions III—in/sight” is holding works by emerging contemporary artists. This space, where the unique talents of multiple artists intersect, creates a platform where individuality and expression come together to generate new insights.

For this exhibition, we conducted interviews with the six participating artists in order to reveal their inner worlds. We asked them the same set of questions to find out how they developed their artistic expressions, and unravel the relationship between art and modern society as depicted in their artworks.

The formation of the world, in search of its truth: generation and dissolution

Mishiho Fukuhama《Urchin》(2024, 117.0 × 80.7cm, oil on canvas)

1. What is the theme of this exhibition?

Kobayashi: The theme is life. Most of the things we see daily are intricately connected to our lives. In my work, I use mosaic particles to symbolize individuals, painting each piece to create a collective representation of society. Through my art, I hope viewers can find some connection or realization related to their own memories and lives—it would be fascinating to see that happen.

2. Tell us about the featured piece, Azalea.

Kobayashi: The main visual for this exhibition depicts flowers formed by clusters of plant seeds. The street trees in my new neighborhood are azaleas, which also bloom in the garden of my family home. Realizing this connection made me feel a continuity in my life.

3. Was there a pivotal moment or inspiration behind your artistic journey?

Kobayashi: Someone once advised me, “Don’t use being different as a weapon.” That advice made me consciously acknowledge that being different is a natural part of life—though it’s easy to forget. Inspired by the desire to recognize and celebrate diverse ways of living and existing, I began creating mosaics using my current methods.

Nozomi Kobayashi《s/he》2024, 53.0 × 41.0cm, acrylic on panel

4. What keeps you motivated, and what do you see as your strengths as an artist?

Kobayashi: My motivation comes from aiming to turn feelings of inferiority not toward others but toward my past self, striving to create better works. I also consider my ability to approach painstakingly detailed tasks with patience and enjoyment a significant strength.

5. How did you develop your current techniques, and what drives your choice of medium?

Kobayashi: My interest in mosaics began with block noise that appeared during video editing. I wondered how to make such visual interruptions more engaging and decided to integrate the act of “engraving existence” into my work. This led to the use of metallic colors, inspired by the traditional Japanese art of kintsugi (golden joinery), to highlight unity and harmony.

Interestingly, I sometimes choose not to engrave my works, depending on whether the concept calls for a smoother, more unified expression. This exploration continues to shape my methods.

Nozomi Kobayashi《chrysalisrium》2023, 116.7 × 80.5cm, acrylic on paper

6. Are there any individuals or works that have influenced you?

Kobayashi: Rather than a specific person, I respect individuals across various fields who face challenges with sincerity, remain steadfast in their beliefs, and embrace new ventures. I aspire to be like them in my own way.

7. Group exhibitions often foster unique dynamics. What are your expectations for Dimensions III?

Kobayashi: Encounters with other people’s perspectives happen often in daily life, but it takes conscious awareness to truly notice and appreciate them. Art becomes much more enjoyable when you consider what is depicted or understand the intention behind it. If this attitude can be extended to everyday life, it would be wonderful.

I hope this exhibition, with its diverse range of generations and works, can serve as a space that sparks such realizations for viewers and participants alike.

Nozomi Kobayashi《drawing》2024, 28.5 × 20.5cm, drawing

8. What would you like viewers to take away from your work?

Kobayashi: There are as many interpretations of my work as there are viewers, and every interpretation is valid. Sharing what you see with others can lead to discovering new perspectives—so feel free to enjoy the experience in your own way.

Also, the impression of the work changes significantly depending on whether you view it from afar or up close. For engraved pieces, the metallic shimmer shifts depending on the angle of observation. I encourage viewers to explore the works from different angles to appreciate the mosaic’s texture and the sparkling surfaces.

9. What are your future aspirations as an artist?

Kobayashi: Beyond gaining recognition for my work, I aim to solidify its value as art. Additionally, I’d love to explore creating interactive products inspired by mosaics, such as coloring books, puzzles, or tactile pieces that can be enjoyed beyond just visual elements

Nozomi Kobayashi《summer-end》(2023-2024, 53.0 × 33.3cm, acrylic on paper)

Nozomi Kobayashi’s engraved mosaics captivate viewers with their strong textural presence. Her works bring to life the breath of individuals and daily existence while conveying a profound connection to society.

”Dimensions III—in/sight” is open until December 27, 2024. The exhibition can also be viewed anytime online via the Whitestone Gallery Online Store.

Exhibition Information

Nozomi Kobayashi

Born in Ibaraki, Nozomi Kobayashi graduated from Gunma University, Faculty of Education with a major in Arts. Her mosaic technique, which is also known as “carving mosaic artist”, is not based on conventional decorative techniques. Rather, she is inspired by digitally derived block noises and low-resolution photographs or images. Holding the theme of “approximation and inextricability between self and other”, she established her unique method of carving a mosaic drawn on a wooden panel with a chisel in 2016. The act of carving a mosaic not only means the physical deconstruction of materials, but also strips away our unconscious preconceptions and liberate us to the ground zero of anonymity. In her work, each fragment of mosaic embodies the individual, while its collective represents society. The intensity of the carving is proportional to the depth of individual she seeks to express, and this influences the overall character of the picture. Her works continue to exemplify various autonomous junction points in the relationship of diverse individuals and their surroundings. Kobayashi received the Lower Akihabara Prize at the “KENZAN 2016” exhibition in 2016 and subsequently the “Shunsuke Sato Jury Excellence Award” at the 2nd Art Contest of Hoshino Coffee in 2017. She has held 7 solo exhibitions so far.