This summer, Sleepwalker’s Garden will take place in Ghent — the first solo exhibition in Belgium by the Japanese-French artist Makiko Furuichi (°1987, Kanazawa). In collaboration with curator Benedict Vandaele, Furuichi is transforming a former shop on the Kouterdreef into a dynamic art space. Sleepwalker’s Garden brings together both new and existing works, in a variety of media including paintings, watercolours, sculptures, and textiles. The exhibition serves as a poetic gateway into Furuichi’s universe — an imaginary space populated by lush plants, mysterious animals, and hybrid figures.
Her dreamlike world is inspired by Japanese culture, including mythology, manga, and film. As a result, her work is inextricably linked to themes such as ecology, animism, identity, and the relationship between the Eastern and Western worlds. Sleepwalker’s Garden not only offers a moment of calm in the lively context of De Kouter during the Gentse Feesten and summer holidays, but also aims to foster meaningful local connections. Furuichi is keen to actively engage with local partners, associations, and institutions. Given that Ghent and Kanazawa are sister cities, we hope to connect with the Belgian Japanese community in Ghent. Moreover, Furuichi has a particular interest in the history of the dragon atop Ghent’s belfry. This rich context and its many stories have inspired to organise one or more small-scale activities in collaboration with cultural and artistic actors in the city.
