The assemblage pieces express an outer and inner quality like the Japanese concept of Ura and Omote, which means the outer self and the inner self. It is what one projects to the world with a certain amount of caution or pretense and the private inner essence that touches the soul and brings one peace.

The works are made from everyday objects found in a Japanese American household. They are temporary, fragile and not made to withstand the winds of time. Like this existence, this time in this space, it is to make one see a different reality another time, another place, to reflect on their own existence and the objects and symbols that bring meaning to life. To find some sort of beauty or meaning in everyday life and to know that we attach our thoughts to judge whether something is beautiful or ugly, whether our life is happy or sad, worthy of existence or not. Different metaphysical symbols are used to change energy and create the miraculous from the mundane.

Nancy Uyemura ‘13