The Liminal Space

For artist Yuko Adachi, art transcends the reality in which we live. She creates from the depths of her spiritual understanding and translates those messages into her artwork. Creativity is unique for every artist, and that is what makes each process a fascinating void in understanding how art is created, as well as how it is interpreted and received by the viewer. For Adachi, the process of art creation comes from beyond what the eye can see. It comes from beyond simply getting inspiration from a tree or a landscape; it digs deeper and also connects to the unseen realms or liminal spaces that we, as humans, all have access to if we want to explore that metaphysical reality.

Process

“Universe knows and forgives” by Yuko Adachi.

Adachi’s process stems from her understanding of the balance between taking the time to complete a piece and the technical elements that contribute to this process. However, there’s also a significant component that occurs through Adachi’s spirituality. 

While some artists draw inspiration from their surroundings or travels, Adachi’s creations stem from the messages and visions she receives through meditation, channeling them into her mind and then onto paper or canvas. 

Adachi explains how she started her path as an artist:

“High school was a pivotal time—those were the years I truly began tapping into my gifts. Looking back, I now realize that I was already channeling higher realms while creating abstract art, although I didn’t yet have the words for it. I would lose myself in the process, locking myself away for hours, completely immersed, asking my family not to disturb me. When I finished a piece, I remember feeling something sacred had taken place… something beyond me. I would look at my own work in awe, sometimes even moved to tears, unable to fully comprehend that I was the one who had created it. I felt so proud, mesmerized, and humbled at the same time. The energy of the art I created filled me with so much light. Now, I understand that what I was experiencing was Lightcode activation. I was serving as a vessel/channel for something far beyond my personal self.”

The process of “channeling” occurs when you are in a heightened spiritual state, allowing you to see visions and hear messages of what is appearing to you, including ideas, colors, shapes, and textures. It's like a dream, but you’re not necessarily dreaming. When channeling, you remember what is being seen and heard, and then share this information with the world in your own way, allowing people to receive the information they are meant to obtain. 

One of the beauties of Adachi’s work is how intentional her pieces are. The themes can range from energetic protection to amplifying your own gifts to even our connection with the natural world. The artwork fosters a more profound sense of awareness of the seen and unseen as a human, and how these aspects assist us to become the best versions of ourselves and our fellow people on this planet.

Divine Connection

“infinite possibilities” by Yuko Adachi.

You will find that Adachi’s artwork connects to spiritual aspects that are part of the unseen world. Yet these aspects are meant to speak to the viewer about why they matter and the connection between what we see and what we do not. If there are aspects we do not yet see, then we should consider opening our minds to why these things matter.

She is an artist who sees what is within us and what is outside of us, particularly in terms of energy. It can be something as small as feeling inadequate to something bigger, like wanting to know your purpose in life, as both of these ideas are related to your own energetic power and relationship with a bigger force and calling. It is through her work that we can tap into those parts of ourselves that perhaps we hadn’t considered before, and how those parts interact with the universe through our own actions and the energy we carry within our bodies and auras, also known as energy fields. There is much fluidity to her painting technique, where even the smallest detail or texture has an intentional purpose behind it. There is a dance between the objects in her artwork, among themselves, through symbolic colors, and through symbols that are also hoping to stir something within you.

Adachi explains the connection to spirituality through her work:

“I love this question because, to me, art is spirituality. It is a divine tool. It is a visual medicine gifted by the Universe to help humanity express and communicate with the Divine. Art and spirituality are inseparable, just like the sky and the stars—one holds space, the other shines. As a Lightcode channel, I am fully aware of my ability and the cosmic responsibility that comes with it. In art school, we were asked to write an artist statement, and to this day, my core message remains the same—only my vocabulary has evolved to express it more clearly. “

Each piece has a strong sentiment behind it, prompting the viewer to consider how the artwork relates to its title. In “The Universe Knows and Forgives,” you see rich colors, as well as feathers, which can symbolize birds and angels; both beings are seen as messengers. But there’s also a watching eye overseeing the whole scene, and that can be seen as the all-knowing eye, or the eye of God, or the eye of the universe, which knows it all and sees it all. Yet the eye looks gentle and loving, as we imagine God to be, as a being who forgives our mistakes.

Symmetry

“Galactic rememberance” by Yuko Adachi.

The concept of “sacred geometry” is something that you encounter throughout Adachi’s work. It stems from a spiritual perspective that suggests God or a divine source creates through symmetry and geometrical shapes that are proportional and, of course, symmetrical. It allows things and energy to grow and expand in this way, as they are symbols of different energetic powers throughout the universe. For instance, the drawings known as “mandala,” which are prevalent in Hinduism and Buddhism, are geometrically derived with the purpose of showing focus on one point and then expanding outward from there. 

Studies suggest that sacred geometry is a crucial component in the creation of our universe, particularly through the interplay of lines and space. There is an underlying focus on geometry within each of these sacred geometry pieces in Adachi’s work, where the way lines are connected and the types of shapes hold a specific spiritual meaning and message. 

She says:

“I have always been a deeply spiritual artist, but a major turning point came in 2021, when I received a clear divine message: 'Bring Lightcode activation art to protect the homes of people on Earth.’ This was the first time I received a specific divinely assigned mission. In mid-2023, I completed Home Protection, a transmission encoded within sacred geometry to serve as an energetic activation and shield for those who welcome it into their life and their space. You can read more details about its cosmic transmission on my website—it’s a deeply powerful piece, not just for me but for those who feel called to receive its activation.”

Concluding Musings

“Natural Selection II” by Yuko Adachi.

Adachi’s pieces are so much more than meets the aesthetic eye. They speak to us at a soul level with a higher power that we cannot see, but we do feel, even in unexpected moments throughout our lives, through sadness or small miraculous moments. We can believe that there are greater forces at play, and that is what Adachi’s artwork is here to reveal to us.

She speaks about the purpose of her artistic journey:

“Coming from an artistic background with a focus on healing and elevation, I find it deeply nourishing to balance my roles as both an artist and a shaman. Serving souls through energy healing and my deep connection to crystals is both fulfilling and joyful, while creating art is pure bliss—nourishing and healing for my own soul. I need both worlds to stay aligned and balanced and to fully honor my energetic calling. For visionary and clairvoyant artists who channel higher realms in service of the light, I feel that shamanic work is a natural extension of their gift. When you’re working with energy, stepping into sacred space, and channeling Lightcodes from cosmic consciousness, you are already”

There are layers to us and this world we live in. If we choose to delve deeper into our understanding of humanity and our personal journeys, we can uncover a wealth of knowledge and truth about the energy we hold at each moment. This is an important truth that helps shape our journey, but we can also gain a deeper understanding by connecting to this energy and making the most of it, becoming better humans each day. Our outer world will always be a reflection of our inner work and the forces we work with, and that is where Adachi’s work comes in as a reminder of these aspects and how we can learn to honor them and work with them.

For more on Yuko Adachi’s artwork, please visit her website.

Today’s poems reflect a need to feel centered, which comes from what we see in Yuko’s work:

A Center

By Ha Jin

You must hold your quiet center,

where you do what only you can do.

If others call you a maniac or a fool,

just let them wag their tongues. 

If some praise your perseverance, 

don't feel too happy about it—

only solitude is a lasting friend.

You must hold your distant center.

Don't move even if earth and heaven quake. 

If others think you are insignificant,

that's because you haven't held on long enough.

As long as you stay put year after year,

eventually you will find a world

beginning to revolve around you.

These Found Objects

Artist Josh Stover creates his artistic environment from a world of his own. His art pieces are representations of how he chooses to portray a reality that sometimes it’s close to home, in a literal and figurative manner. He selects items that many times are related to a home environment, and ones that share that connectivity with the humans who interact with them. Stover is particular about his work and it shows in his practice and the meticulous details, from proportions to colors, you see in each piece.

Process

Stover’s pieces have an innate sense of symmetry and display this through dimension and space. Because of the mindful approach behind symmetry, the viewer can enjoy the details of each artwork. Each item within the art piece stands independently and doesn’t intertwine with another as much. Instead, there is a sense of sharing the space, and it is due to the space that each component is part of through its shape and color, and not one object overpowers the other. This symmetry and space between objects create a sense of harmony. It allows our eyes to focus on each thing present without overlooking something. It is as if saying everything presented matters and should be viewed equally as it is portrayed.

He explains:

My process starts by sketching out ideas on my iPad using Procreate. I like to plan out the layout and colors of the painting using that program so I don’t have to make as many decisions when I am in the painting phase - although I do like to add in some extra details as they come to me while I am painting. I usually paint or draw things that I own or want - vintage pieces I have saved online or items that we have collected in our home. I like including things that have meaning to me personally, like a book I like or an object I have collected.

Thanks to its simplicity, each item portrayed in Stover’s design style has a distinct sense of beauty. The color almost seems like an added feature to share the object’s place in the world. Shape and space take priority in the art itself for the sake of balance and a proportionate piece.

On Symmetry

Stover’s work is highly inspired by the geometrical, but it is also intentional about the proportion and placement of things in the artwork itself. He has an eye for what is interesting and what he wants to portray through objects that have meaning to him and that he enjoys collecting. However, his work is also sharp and allows for definition and proportion. He admits that lately, he has been more focused on those lines that create cleanliness around his pieces. Because of that, one can see every detail with more appreciation since it was placed there intentionally to be seen and acknowledged.

He talks about the evolution of his work’s technique:

I think my work has gotten more graphic and “tighter” over the past few years. I used to make work that was slightly looser and more painterly but lately I have been using a lot of tape and stencils to get crisp perfect lines. I like that process more because it kind of changes the way I think about a piece as I’m making it. It makes me simplify things into straight lines in a way that I enjoy. I started doing more drawings this past year and in my drawings I use rulers and stencils to build an image - I think this has had an influence on my painting style.

Deeper Meaning

To the people who consider artwork without people to be not as engaging, I will say to them that it is so because they aren’t looking in and around. They aren’t searching for the clues the art piece gives them; the same lesson applies here. Looking at Stover’s artwork, you are staring into a world that seems, at times, to be from another decade. I say this because there is such stillness that it feels as though these moments were captured in time for a reason, and that is to be remembered. The Art Deco-inspired design shows us colors that pop, shadows, and slight curves that can be appreciated. They declare a feeling of things that are, in a way, living because humans interact with them, such as a melted ice cream or a broken shopping bag; these items tell their own stories about their surroundings and those around them. There’s that human connectivity to feeling comfort when seeing a clean space with a piano and bird, or perhaps a feeling of fun and partying when seeing a stack of martini cups with cherries. These items help create moments that humans can remember and possibly consider memorable as part of our existence. So, indeed, these little moments and still-life items matter.

Stover says:
I’m drawn to mostly vintage items. I like chrome chairs and wooden furniture that is from the Art Deco to Mid Century eras. I like that they often have bold curvy shapes combined with straight lines. I also paint a lot of small objects and folk art that my wife and I have collected over the years. I sometimes make up furniture and objects too, taking inspiration from things I have seen. The most important thing I think about is the simplicity and the shape of an object when I consider including it in a painting.

Concluding Musings

There is so much beauty and depth under the surface within the details of Stover’s artwork. It could be how flowers were portrayed at a flower stand, which shares a lot about the people behind the objects and how they live, which is the key to leaning into that understanding with these lovely pieces. It is being open to learning more about the possibilities of what is, what was, or even could be in the future in the realities we see portrayed. If there’s a scene portrayed, it is because there’s more to uncover about the humanity behind those moments and the interaction between humans and the objects. Were they happy or sad? What happens next when someone interacts with this scene? It is all up to your imagination as part of the beauty in art, and these possibilities are endless.

To learn more about Josh’s work, please visit his website.

The following poem reminds us why objects hold memories for us, just like they do in Josh’s work:

Housekeeping

By Natasha Trethewey

We mourn the broken things, chair legs

wrenched from their seats, chipped plates,

the threadbare clothes. We work the magic

of glue, drive the nails, mend the holes.

We save what we can, melt small pieces

of soap, gather fallen pecans, keep neck bones

for soup. Beating rugs against the house,

we watch dust, lit like stars, spreading

across the yard. Late afternoon, we draw

the blinds to cool the rooms, drive the bugs

out. My mother irons, singing, lost in reverie.

I mark the pages of a mail-order catalog,

listen for passing cars. All day we watch

for the mail, some news from a distant place.

How the Art Community Thrives

The role of an art museum is more than what meets the eye. When we talk about art, it can also expand to the performing art form and beyond. Yes, it is good to feel a limitless quality of what art can do and who it can reach. One of the art museums in the Washington D.C. area that has that expansive quality is The Kreeger Museum. Nestled in the northwest area of D.C., where the winding roads and carefully landscaped gardens meet, the Kreeger gravitates to locals and tourists who seek a serene space for various art forms within the city.

Photo by Frank Hallam Day.

While supporting the contemporary art scene through art shows, talks, and events constitute the norm of an art museum’s role, it is refreshing for the visitors to also experience a variety of programming that enhances its visual arts component. Helen Chason, the director of the Kreeger, graciously shared insights into the museum's profound engagement with the local community, highlighting how these endeavors contribute to the enrichment of visual and performing arts within the Washington D.C. region.

Creative Selectivity

Photo by Nicholas Moreland Photography.

The craft of selecting artists is a process that takes time and research. Art curation is a way of carefully presenting new and returning visitors with a vision of what the art museum represents and what it stands for. It's a process that goes beyond showcasing popular talent. Contemporary emerging talent is always present but it takes a keen eye to select it based on the season, your audience, your messaging/themes, and the other type of programming you may have going on. 

At the Kreeger, it is important to immerse the visitor in art but also through music and workshops. These creative endeavors stimulate the artistic senses of sound, movement, and visuals. 

Helen Chason touches on the importance of supporting local talent:

To shine a light on the amazing visual and performing artists practicing in our city and provide them with gallery space for showing their work, we developed The Collaborative in 2021. The Collaborative is an exhibition program that supports DC-based artists and strengthens our relationships with other non-profit arts organizations in DC. We are honored to champion the work of these artists and provide many of them the opportunity to present their work in a museum for the first time.

It’s important to highlight local talent within museums, especially since Washington D.C. can be considered such a transient city, where people come to work for a few years and then move on to other places. Nurturing the talent that is already working within the Metro Area can only foster more of an inclusive cultural experience and create room for more talent to emerge, flourish, and maintain itself in creative careers in this area within the visual and performing arts fields.

Chason states:

Jazz at The Kreeger, also developed in 2021, is a monthly concert series at the Museum that features DC-based performing artists. Working in collaboration with Elijah Jamal Balbed, we are honored to present this jazz series to support and spotlight the wealth of musical talent in our metropolitan area.

Aside from art, the jazz community has been an intrinsic part of the Kreeger’s programming. Jazz expands how people can enjoy the art experience through music by honoring diverse talent through another art form. This opportunity creates an atmosphere of cultural history and community as it all blends in together to honor the talent of this area. 

Community Goals

Photo by Anna Savino.

The Kreeger Museum uses the art space as a place the community can visit to enjoy and learn more about Washington D.C.’s overall cultural scene. It immerses the visitor in the art experience by asking them to be part of it and engage with local musicians, artists, and overall local talent.

It is commendable for an art space to know its audience and what they want to obtain from visiting a space. It could be to have a nice time, mingle, or learn more about local art and music. It is all valid, but it is also a matter of picking their brain based on how they respond to the activities you are presenting and what they might be interested in as a parallel activity in their daily lives. Say someone is interested in art, could they also be interested in learning to make art or listening to music while viewing it? This is a reflection of what we can see in the Kreeger’s programming. 

Chason expands on this thought:

We have a wonderful and simple mission – to share art, architecture, and music. Working with partners and artists across the city we strive to develop workshops, exhibitions, performances, and talks that appeal to all audiences. Our grounds provide a fabulous space for outdoor installations and performances. With new art spaces opening up across the city, there is more opportunity for all to experience work in new venues. The more we work together to promote our artists, the richer our community will be. We are headed in the right direction.

Presenting art as a lifestyle is an exciting pursuit, especially making art more approachable, where people feel there’s a space for them no matter their background. There is room for all to feel welcome, especially if they feel their other interests similar to art are welcomed too, like workshops, music, and even yoga.

Final Musings

Photo by Vivian Marie Doering.

The important part of maintaining a contemporary art space is to be open to multiple possibilities. We live in a world where art has become more accessible to people and it is a good feeling to feel included in this beautiful and in-depth world that is art.

Spaces like the Kreeger are taking this mission one step further by learning more about the people who visit and those who live nearby when offering programming that engages their interest and keeps them coming back to learn more about art history and local talent while immersing as part of a visual and performing art community.