Step Into a New World: Shakkei at the Elmhurst Art Museum

A hanging piece by Bob Faust shown in the McCormick House portion of the Elmhurst Art Museum. The display is on motorized rotators and is part of the Shakkei Exhibition featured from Sept. 6 to Jan. 4.

Just a short walk from campus, the Elmhurst Art Museum has a new art exhibit running until Jan. 4, 2026. The exhibit, titled “Shakkei: Work by Mayumi Lake and Bob Faust,” features both independent and collaborative work of the two Chicago artists.

“Shakkei” means “borrowed scenery,” which both artists do throughout the exhibit. Lake uses floral patterns seen in Japanese kimonos, while Faust incorporates images of the area of the exhibition and his life in his work. The exhibit is meant to evoke ideas of empathy and an openness to other people’s perspectives (in a metaphorical way, of course).

Mayumi Lake was born in Osaka, Japan, and is now based in Chicago. Her art is intricate, with vibrant colors, drawing from Japanese imagery, like kimonos. Her pieces have a kaleidoscope feel due to the layering of materials, with bright ribbons and colors drawn and painted onto thin pieces of wood.

Bob Faust was born in Illinois and is based in Chicago. His art has a very modern feel, with pops of colors and 3-D objects. One piece in this installation includes darts stuck into the wall of the museum, creating an engaging environment for visitors. Faust’s art has an urban, pop culture influence, shown through his incorporation of text, paint, and photographs.

The exhibit begins in the main part of the Elmhurst Art Museum and extends into the McCormick House. In the house, Lake’s portion featured hanging art that looked like Japanese wall panel art, dynamic in the very still house. This follows her previous theme of paying homage to Japanese art and to her birthplace.

Faust’s portions showcase the collaborative art that he does with his personal and professional partner, artist Nick Cave (not the musician), and it’s a very intense contrast from the wood of the mid-century modern home. Cave is most known for his “Soundsuit” series, which consisted of wearable sculptures that were very vibrant and full of color. His collection contains many objects from different collections of the combined work of him and his partner, including posters and box set collections.

The way these two artists combined their work is fascinating and a must-see, specifically Mayumi Lake’s larger installations. Be sure to make your way to the Elmhurst Art Museum before the exhibit closes in January (and bring your JayPass for the student discount).

A wide view of Mayumi Lake’s hanging installation of Japanese textiles and imagery, part of the Shakkei Exibition at Elmhurst Art Museum featured from Sept. 06 to Jan 04.

A close-up of Bob Faust’s typographic artwork, “It is what is is, until you will what will be.” The piece is part of the Shakkei Exibition at Elmhurst Art Museum featured from
Sept. 06 to Jan 04.