Haori (Installation)

2021-2024
Artificial skin, pigment, thread, foam, wood, metal and rope
Dimensions variable

In 2021, Ohata developed a technique for creating one-of-a-kind artificial skin textiles, imprinted with the artist’s own skin textures. This innovation took form in the kimono jacket, Haori, constructed from this unique faux skin.

The underlying principle of Ohata's practice emphasises the belief that their pieces are not merely artefacts for aesthetic appreciation, but are also intended as wearable items inviting interaction. The process of creating these pieces encapsulates a journey of self-acceptance and an embracement of individual skin, aiming to evoke a sense of warmth and familiarity.

By casting the artist’s feet and suspending them alongside "Haori" from the ceiling, the installation delves into personal traumas: child abuse, discrimination, gender struggles, hanging, and the expatriate's unsettling sensation of "no home", reminiscent of "floating like a ghost".