Hikikomori

Hikikomori is a Japanese term and means “pulling inward”. It describes a form of pathological withdrawal from society. Frustration, isolation and the pressure to perform are among the key factors for this phenomenon. Today there is an estimated million Japanese „modern-day hermits“. While Hikikomori originated in Japan, it is branching out to other countries, especially as a result and in the predicted aftermath of the lockdowns and social distancing due to the Covid19 crisis.  With my work I aim to examine where we retreat in our culture. How do we modify our four walls in order to regain control? I am setting the focus on illustrating this phenomenon effecting the European population and our everyday life.

The multiple works I created in the sizes of A3 and A4 resemble windows into a confined space, depicting colours and texture found in one room.

This project was generously funded by the Art Council Grant Kanton St.Gallen, CH.