In 2024 Charys received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to undertake a month long residency in Studio Kura, a residency based outside Fukuoka on the Island of Kyushu.

During this time, Charys allowed her surroundings to directly influence the work made. Going with no preconceived ideas, allowing the work to evolve naturally.

During the time she created a miniature model of her room, appreciating the traditional Japanese architecture, it’s alignment and balance, how everything was measured to the size of tatami mats, the texture and colours of the walls, the paper doors, how they allowed the light to become diffused and breathe throughout the space.

More work that was inspired by the architecture was the creation of a paper door, with no solid frame. Charys stitched together a door using paper and wire, inspired by the hanging material in Japanese doorways, how spaces are constantly in flux, doors sliding to combine inner and outer worlds, allowing so much of the outside in.

This door was hung in a bamboo forest, to allow for the light to pass over it, capturing shadows of the leaves as they moved in the wind, acting as a light net.

Another thing that struck her during her time was how dark the countryside was at night, as well as the feeling of safety.

She was able to explore freely at night, documenting with her camera, taking films and photos amidst the dense velvety darkness. Something that she longs to do more of but as a female often doesn’t feel safe enough to do so alone.