Megumi Shauna Arai

Quilted fabric: A green swirling form over rectangular swaths o fblue and orange

Megumi Shauna Arai, "Jeté Dō," 2022; silk, linen, and cotton naturally dyed with pomegranate overdyed indigo variation, sage modified, cutch overdyed walnut modified, walnut, walnut modified, marigold overdyed cutch modified, indigo and kakishibu dyed cotton thread used, oak frame; 60 x 60 in. Photo: Gary Mamay

New York
Visual
Artist in Residence, 2023
↗ www.megumi-arai.com

Artist Statement

My practice is inspired by craft, specifically textile traditions such as piecework and natural dye. My work references mixed cultural identity and practices of embodiment—such as dance and calligraphy—involving a meditative, process-based working style where concept and spontaneity meet to create large fiber based paintings. I am interested in literal and metaphorical borders and the notion of belonging.

While at Headlands

Last year I began a series of large works that connected my material knowledge and conceptual interests further. My time at Headlands will be focused on developing this language for a solo show in 2024.

Artist portrait by Brian Ferry.

Selected Work

A photo of a room with a metal sculpture, a painting of a perso wading in ocean waves, and a large bed or couch with a red tiled quilt.

Megumi Shauna Arai, installation view of "Large Boro," 2020; silk, linen, and cotton, naturally dyed with kakishibu and weld modified, antique fabrics with hand stitching details, 72 x 72 in. Photo: Michael Biondo.

A yellow and orange quilted fabric piece hanging from a rod in a white room

Megumi Shauna Arai, "Large Patchwork," 2021; silk, linen, and cottons naturally dyed with sumac, marigold, onion skin, dahlia modified, antique fabrics, hazel branch; 43 x 48 in. Photo: Chris Mottalini

A quilted fabric work with a mass of yellow fabric in front of pink-hued squares

Megumi Shauna Arai, "Hoshi Tempo," 2022; silk, linen, and cotton naturally dyed with madder - rubia cordifolia, madder - rubia tinctorium, cordifolia modified, tinctorium modified 1, tinctorium modified 2, cutch overdyed walnut modified, cutch modified, lac, fustic, marigold overdyed kakishibu and kakishibu dyed cotton thread, oak frame; 60 x 60 in. Photo: Gary Mamay

A quilted fabric work with two chunks of purple fabric overlaid on yellow tiles

Megumi Shauna Arai, "Kami Chassé," 2022; silk, linen, and cotton naturally dyed with logwood variation, logwood modified, marigold modified, marigold overdyed cutch, cosmos, fustic, fustic modified, linen thread, oak frame; 60 x 60 in. Photo: Gary Mamay

Megumi Shauna Arai

Seasonal Studio Visit