Ayumi Shibata’s intricate paper-cut sculptures are not just flat artwork but multilayer structures that cast soft, gradient shadows through light. She sees paper as the yin and the cut-out spaces as the yang, believing her creations blend the two to bring life to the work. Inspired by the stained glass in her church, Shibata found solace in paper-cutting after an accident. Despite studying printmaking and multimedia, she found no medium as harmonious as paper and thread. Her works often explore the harmony and cycle of all living things on Earth, as seen in her 2023 exhibition “Forest of Gods.” Shibata emphasizes the importance of inner beauty and intention in her creations.