Sleepwalker's Garden

During the summer, 'Sleepwalker’s Garden' unfolded in Ghent — the first solo exhibition in Belgium by Japanese-French artist Makiko Furuichi (°1987, Kanazawa). Together, we transformed a former shop on the Kouterdreef into a vibrant art space. The exhibition brought together new and recent works across various media, including painting, watercolor, sculpture, and textile.

'Sleepwalker’s Garden' offered a poetic gateway into Furuichi’s universe: an imaginary realm inhabited by lush vegetation, enigmatic animals, and hybrid figures. Her dreamlike world draws inspiration from Japanese culture, encompassing mythology, manga, and film. Through these influences, her work explores themes of animism, identity, ecology and the dialogue between Eastern and Western worlds.

ARTIST

Makiko Furuichi

CURATOR

Benedict Vandaele

PARTNERS

Galerie Les filles du calvaire (Paris)
The Ghent Festivities

PRACTICAL

'Sleepwalker's Garden'
12 July - 17 August 2025

Kouterdreef 8

Ghent

TEXT

Text: Benedict Vandaele
Editing: Dilip Huys

ACTIVITIES

- Artist Talk

An artist talk with Makiko Furuichi took place during the vernissage on Friday, July 11. The conversation, moderated by Sofie Crabbé, offered insights into Furuichi’s practice, her sources of inspiration, and the making of 'Sleepwalker’s Garden'.

- The Ghent Festivities

'Sleepwalker’s Garden' was part of the cultural program during the Ghent Festivities. The exhibition remained open for ten consecutive days, welcoming a diverse audience throughout the city’s vibrant summer event. Both new and existing works subtly echoed local references: from the dragon atop the belfry and the weekly flower market on the Kouter to the Japanese Pavilion in Citadel Park.

MEDIA (selection)

- Japans-Franse kunstenaar Makiko Furuichi lanceert expositie in leegstand winkelpand, HLN, 1 August 2025

- De tuin van de slaapwandelaar: Makiko Furuichi in Gent, Kunstflaneur, 5 August 2025