Having learned the art of dyeing and utilizing techniques such as weaving, dyeing, tying, and stitching in her pieces, artist OH Haji sheds light on the untold history and stories of women and unnamed individuals through her art. Though artist such as OH, this exhibition aims to present the works of former Keikokan Museum, now part of the folk materials and collections archived by the Aomori City Board of Education, from another perspective.

   The Aomori Contemporary Art Centre (ACAC) exhibited traditional Kogin-zashi and Hishi-zashi works made primarily of hemp fabric, which give us a glimpse into the histories of the individuals who owned them: work clothing, undergarments, and mosquito nets among other common place object. OH Haji’s past works and newest photography was also display.

   It is said that clothing is one’s second skin. In this exhibition, the ACAC attempts to depict the rich lives of unnamed people hidden in the threads of these clothes and fabrics by displaying items in a way which allows the viewer to feel the body warmth and memories stitched within them.

Aomori Contemporary Art Center, Aomori public University

texts: reference from catalog of  OH Haji×Aomori City Archives Exhibition”Gestures in Clothing”

針々（しんしん）と、たんたんと

一枚ずつ丁寧に包まれた収蔵品。結び目をほどくと、黒光りした藍の麻布に白糸の刺し模様がほどこされた衣は華やかで、凛と佇んでいる。さまざまな濃淡の藍の色味と、やわらかな風合いの麻の衣は、日々の労働と時間による造形物。すり切れた部分にあてがわれた布、そこに刺し重ねられた白糸のかさぶた。くたくたになった布からあらわれるカタチ。そこには持ち主の記憶と身体の痕跡がつくる—衣のしぐさ—が浮かび上がる。

—シンシンと、タンタンと、つくり、おもい、すまう。　　　　　　呉夏枝