web of wool emerges from this sculptural steel piano at yorkshire sculpture park chapel

within the 18th-century chapel at yorkshire sculpture park, artist chiharu shiota has devised an awe-inspiring, site-specific installation made from 2,000 balls of woolen thread. ‘beyond time’ is both an expansion and departure from shiota’s oeuvre, with thread being a constant material element, and a use of white deviating from her familiar red and black installation works. shiota’s artistic approach touches on personal themes, such as memory, loss, death and belonging.

beyond time, 2018 | white thread, metal piano, musical notes
© VG bild-kunst, bonn, 2018 and the artist, courtesy yorkshire sculpture park | photo © jonty wilde

shiota references the yorkshire sculpture park chapel’s rich history and years of human presence, which dates back to 1744, poignantly alluding to the lives that revolved around its presence. a sweeping network of white thread emerges from a sculptural steel piano, referencing a musical instrument no longer there. the ethereal composition of thread and paper reaches into the upper corners of the architecture of the building, activating the chapel’s unique history. ‘beyond time’ is on view from now through september 2, 2018.

shiota references the yorkshire sculpture park chapel’s rich history and years of human presence

a sweeping network of white thread emerges from a sculptural steel piano

the installation references a musical instrument no longer there

exterior of the chapel, 2013 | courtesy yorkshire sculpture park | photo © jonty wilde