AKIYA AIR 2025 | Programme Recap
Running from October to December 2025, AKIYA AIR had the honour of welcoming three incredible creatives to Yunotsu: Anne, Luke, and Gemma.
Over the past months, they explored the community, immersed themselves in the region’s cultural and natural landscapes, and shared intimate glimpses of their creative journeys.
Watching their practices evolve in dialogue with this place has been truly inspiring.
Thanks to the generosity of Yunotsu’s residents, the dedication of countless collaborators, and the support of our wider community, our 2025 artists will officially share their residency outcomes this weekend. We hope this short recap offers a window into what they have discovered, created, and contributed—an invitation for deeper conversations, continued support, and anticipation for the exhibitions to come.
Photo by Anne & Luke
Anne Fehres & Luke Conroy: A Visual Narrative of Place
Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy, the multidisciplinary artist duo, returned to Japan nearly a decade after first meeting on Naoshima. During their time with AKIYA AIR, they developed a new chapter of News From Home, an ongoing project blending field research, photography, and community storytelling.
Their work in Yunotsu centered on conversations and careful observation as they examined the architecture, materials, and rhythms of daily life that define the Iwami region.
Week by week, their journey expanded.
They studied the geological formations of Iwami Tatamigaura (石見畳ヶ浦), tracing the lines of sediment and stone that mirror the layered stories of the communities living nearby. These impressions deepened their understanding of craftsmanship and natural history—forces that continue to shape the region’s identity.
Later, their attention widened to Yunotsu’s coastline, where they observed how plastic debris gathers along remote inlets. The striking contrast between pristine nature and human-generated waste became a powerful point of reflection, reminding them of the global interconnections carried by tides and currents…
Photographs by Anne & Luke
Gemma Wilson – Myth, Ritual, and the Living Landscape
Artist and printmaker Gemma Wilson draws on mythology to explore contemporary social and political themes.
During her residency, she immersed herself in the traditions of Yunotsu, focusing on woodblock printing inspired by the myth of Susanoo and the Yamata-no-Orochi. Deeply moved by Iwami Kagura (石見神樂), she began translating the dynamism of ritual performance into visual form.
Her research extended beyond performance.
Visits to local craftspeople, including a meaningful day at the Kobayashi Kobo kagura mask atelier—introduced Gemma to the precision and symbolism behind mask-making.
She observed how layers of Sekishu washi (石州和紙) are shaped into forms that shift identity through movement and gesture, a fluidity she hopes to explore in her own work.
Gemma’s exploration continued in Izumo during Kamiarizuki (神在月), the Month of the Gods, when deities are believed to gather at Izumo Taisha (出雲大社). Visiting shrines tied to local mythology enriched her ongoing inquiry into ritual, renewal, and the migration of stories across landscapes.
Through her residency, Gemma has begun shaping a body of work that bridges mythic past and contemporary reflection.
Photographs by Gemma
Brief Reflections…
Across their residencies, Anne, Luke, and Gemma have shown not only great passion and dedication but also deep respect for Yunotsu’s cultural layers.
Their curiosity, commitment, and generosity have led to ambitious progress on each of their projects — progress made possible by the warmth and openness of the community that welcomed them.
And now, the most exciting moment is just ahead:
Their final presentations will first take place this weekend in Yunotsu.
We cannot wait for you to experience the stories, research, and artworks shaped here—works born from careful listening, shared experiences, and the quiet magic of Yunotsu.
Photographs by Anne & Luke