I am pleased to share with you about the forthcoming collaboration with National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. I am going to run the workshop (2 sessions on the day) to make folded booklet, called ‘ori-hon’ （折本 おりほん）in Japanese, which I was inspired by a very precious collection of the Museum, called ‘Kai-Chigusa’ （貝千種 かいちぐさ）, a thousand of shells, published by a Japanese malacologist (invertebrate researcher and collector, Yoichiro Hirase.
I was fortunate to have a guided tour by their curator at the Museum about marine biology, especially about shells, seaweeds and invertebrates) prior to the workshop.
There will be a great display of specimens from their collection and of the original Kai Chigsa in the room, where the workshop is held!
About the workshop, we explore marine life and learn links between Wales and Japan. Do you know the difference of terms between ‘non-native and ‘invasive’?
I would like to share my thoughts of environmental issues. As always, we will use mainly paper including recycled and used paper, and no plastic.
This drop-in workshop is free of charge for everyone, funded and supported by Embassy of Japan.
Saturday 14th March 2026
10:30-12:30 & 13:15:30 (drop in anytime)
Clore Learning Room at National Museum Cardiff
Samples of the folded booklets I made for the workshop.
I’m back home in Wales after the art collaboration with green bird Himeji was over. I still feel gratitude that I wouldn’t have reached the end without people who contributed to my project. I can’t thank you enough!
Himeji team worked hard tirelessly, and we collected more than 100 art pieces not only in Himeji but also all over Japan. My papercut red dragon and the wonderful unique birds were assembled to present our theme.
The main theme was ‘Tsunagu’, to connect, people and nature. I believe in the potential of everyone’s artistic creativity which bring us a joy and build confidence. I wanted to send my message to people through creating art together. I hope it worked.
During this project, I received an intrinsic question from Masa, the owner of Farmer’s Kitchen Innuit, whose motto was ‘everything is connected’. He asked me why I had chosen the catchphrase, ‘Connect people and nature’ even though everything is already connected. His question gave me further thought.
What if you cut off and destroy the connection without knowing the fact? We need to be conscious about being connected. So, ‘connect’ is an active motion.
The nature is vulnerable as well as we are. At the same time, it is resilient. We need to keep connecting to our precious planet.
Special thank you to
Kaori and Tomoyuki of green bird Himeji team, Yoko of Cafe & Rental Space Karikari and Masa for your enthusiastic invaluable support from the start.
このプロジェクト中、「everything is connected〜すべてはつながっている」をモットーとするファーマーズキッチン・イヌイットのオーナー、Masaさんから、本質的な質問を受けました。すでにすべてがつながっているのに、なぜ「人と自然をつなぐ」というキャッチフレーズを選んだのか、と。その質問に「つなぐ」という意味を今一度、考えてみました。
今年4月にWales Arts International (WAI) からWales and Japan 2025の助成金によるプロジェクトをスタートし、いよいよ終盤に入りました。N P Oグリーンバード姫路チームとのコラボレーションで、たくさんの方々から作品が寄せられています。みなさんがそれぞれの思いを自由な発想で作りあげた緑の鳥や、さまざまな作品は、かけがえのないものです。グリーンバード姫路チームのみなさん、参加してくださっているみなさんに感謝し尽くせないです。
1-69 Higashinobesue, Himeji City (within a 10-minute walk from the central gate of JR Himeji Station)
This project funded by WAI for Wales and Japan 2025, which began in April of this year, is now nearing completion. In collaboration with the NPO greenbird Himeji team, many people have submitted their wonderful works. The green birds and various other works created with their own unique ideas and free imagination are irreplaceable. I am incredibly grateful to the greenbird Himeji team and everyone who has participated.’The project, which began in April of this year, is now nearing completion. In collaboration with the NPO greenbird Himeji team, many people have submitted their wonderful works. The green birds and various other works created with their own unique ideas and free imagination are irreplaceable. I am incredibly grateful to the greenbird Himeji team and everyone who has participated.
I, a paper artist living in Wales, have also working on my work, aiming for the culmination in November. The design is a red dragon, incorporating the red of Wales (As I usually use black or white paper, it is a first attempt), and the Welsh fauna and flora. Although I have created three-dimensional works before, this is my first attempt at assembling delicately cut-out paper into a three-dimensional piece.
The works, created simultaneously in two locations—Himeji and Wales—will be exhibited as a single installation art piece in November. The event is fast approaching.
The event will be held at Karikari-chan, a cafe and rental space located within a 10-minute walk from JR Himeji Station in Himeji City. Karikari-chan, a popular hub for the local community, is interested in nature and environmental issues. The Green Bird Himeji team will host their final workshop on October 19th there. (Submissions for art pieces such as green birds are being accepted until October 31st. For more information, please contact the greenbird Himeji team.)
Workshop (free)
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to café carrefour (August), One Off Cafe (September), and Karikari-chan (October) for kindly lending us their space. Karikari-chan is also accepting submissions. We are grateful for their support.
I am honoured to be one of the recipients of the Wales-Japan Culture Fund to make an artistic collaboration with a NPO (non-profit charity funded organisation), Green Bird Himeji, Japan.
Green Bird Himeji and I are going to create an environment-themed installation art to connect people and nature.
はじめに：
姫路と英国ウェールズをつなぐ、環境をテーマにしたアートコラボレーション。
ウェールズ在住のペーパーアーティスト、ヴィルト マリと、日本の姫路市で活動するN P Oグリーンバード姫路チームが、コラボレーションを開始しました。
Our mutual theme is naturally to connect people with nature on our planet.
Our planet is beautiful, invaluable and precious. However, many parts of it have been lost or damaged, mainly caused by us, human.
Have you thought about the fact that every creature, such as animals, plants and microorganisms, is connected on our planet? Yes, it is. The whole world is on interconnected incredibly intricate networks.
This means, we, human, are only part of the planet. We would like to think about together through art.
Another theme: connect people with people
‘Wales Japan 2025’ has been promoted by Welsh government this year.
Introducing Wales to residents in Himeji and surrounding areas is part of our aim.
We hope this will lead to connect people beyond the boarder and think about our future planet through art collaboration.
I am pleased to share the great news. I have been selected one of the artists based in Wales for Wales-Japan 2025, part of Year of Wales and Japan 2025 led by Welsh Government.
The press release by Arts Council of Wales (Welsh, English & 日本語) is here.
My art collaboration with my partner in Japan, Green Bird Himeji, is funded by Arts Council of Wales.
Please keep an eye on my social media (Instagram & Facebook) for updates.
Giclée art prints of my recent artworks are available in 3 different sizes. If you are interested in my art prints, please click here. (Link to the page on my online shop)
Please note that the art print of the two large artworks (‘On Loss and Damage’, pic left & ‘Winter Sun’, pic middle) is MADE TO ORDER and the turnaround time is about 10-14 days for UK delivery.
The three smaller A4 art prints (pic right) are ready for delivery. (within 3-5 days for UK delivery)
This exhibition focuses on Loss and Damage in terms of climate change we have been facing now. I am very excited to be part of this project. Bob Gelsthorpe curated the eclectic mix of wonderful great artworks of artists based in Wales, as well as of the 19th century’s British impressionist painter, Alfred Sisley. Details are shown below.
‘A group exhibition and series of events looking at coastlines, identities, landscapes, and climate action, with artists putting the urgency of these topics into context through installation, video, photography and painting.’ https://turnerhouse.wales/lossanddamage/
I’ll be part of the collective exhibition at @llantarnam_grange in Cwmbran. My latest artworks, a large paper-cut piece and an installation piece of paper and natural materials. (Details will be posted later) I am very thankful to the Llantarnam Grange team for having included me and let me do an experimental work.
My two artworks will be displayed along with the other artists, who have been practising Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship in their art.
This time, I created a large paper-cutting piece and an experimental installation piece which links to the paper cut piece. The materials are all natural, sustainable and biodegradable, no plastic or metal. Paper I used for paper-cut collage is Japanese washi paper (background) and British paper (black). I used various types of Japanese washi paper and vines and branches mainly form my garden and beech woods.
Criw Celf Programme organised by Llantarnam Grange in Cwmbran (April 2022)
I have done many art & craft workshops, but It was the ever first time to me to run a workshop, in which I introduced my art practice, paper-cut art.
The workshops of this project offer young people who are enthusiastic about art.
At first, I had feared letting people using sharp cutting knives until I was asked to do workshops as part of Criw Celf Programme at Llantarnam Grange.
However, I didn’t have to worry about it at all. They were all not only enthusiastic but also sensible.
Here is the summary of the workshops.
There were two different types of workshops, responsive to the pupils age groups (primary: Year 5&6, secondary: Year 7-9).
Pupils were offered to look at & touch wild plants as well as to use references about wildlife.
The theme for both groups was ‘Wildlife Surrounding Us & Paper Art’, which is my theme for my artwork. I wanted them to connect to the nature, which we could easily find everywhere around us.
I brought books and posters for reference as well as real wild plants from my garden. I wanted the pupils to see directly and touch the real plants. I prepared natural materials (no plastic), such as pruned hazel branches from my garden.
The primary groups (Yr5&6): 3D Paper Sculpture
were given an opportunity to use various kind of paper, from recycled paper to fine Japanese washi paper, thick & thin, rough & smooth, and in various colours. Also, I showed various techniques of using paper such as cutting (of course), ripping, twisting etc. They created a 3D sculpture by using paper and natural materials.
The secondary groups: Papercutting
have tried cutting paper with a cutting knife. To finish, each papercut piece was put in a mountboard frame.
All pupils were so enthusiastic and creative. They researched on wild plants and animals and interpreted their inspiration into wonderful unique artwork. (See the pictures of some of them)
Two hours for each session flew by very fast. They concentrated on creating their own artwork, even didn’t need any break, which surprised me.
I had fantastic two weekends with fantastic talented young people. In the end I would like to thank Louise, the senior education officer, and Beckie, education assistant of Llantarnam Grange. They supported and encouraged me from the beginning to the end. I cannot thank them enough. Also, I would like to thank Bob Gelsthorpe, who suggested me for Crif Celf Programme at Llantarnam Grange!
I’ve been busy with preparing for fairs in which I’m taking part. Please pop in the fairs to see me as well as to meet a lot of other makers and artists!
Mari Wirth 