Japanese artist turns Elddis caravan into Northern Irish art project

by Chris Jefferies
Art and caravans overlap more than you might expect, and a Japanese artist living in Northern Ireland is the latest creative mind to turn to the humble tourer for inspiration.
Shiro Masuyama, who lives in Londonderry, has been commissioned to create a work of art for the City of Culture 2013, and it was an old Elddis caravan that sparked his imagination.
The result is the Borderline Project, which showcases Shiro’s unique interior design that splits the caravan in two separate zones.
One side is distinctly British, with Victorian paraphernalia and vintage crockery, while the other side features a more modern design inspired by the Republic of Ireland, featuring Gaelic wall plaques that bid visitors a warm welcome.
“Since I started living in Northern Ireland, I’ve found it difficult to understand the particular differences between Irish and British culture in such a complex society,” Shiro told the Londonderry Sentinel.
“The idea of the caravan is to create a small museum to show the difference of each culture.”
His creation has been well received by the public, with an appearance at the Turner Prize Exhibition before a week-long installation on Ebrington Square, which runs until Sunday (27 October).
One enthusiastic couple even offered to buy it off him, but Shiro could not be tempted to part with his work.
Further appearances are planned for weekends during November and December, so keep an eye out for an unusual tourer parked on the streets of Londonderry.