Contemporary Japanese Fiber Art

    Japan's aesthetic conceptions, deriving from diverse cultural traditions, have been formative in the production of unique art forms. Over the centuries a wide range of artistic motifs developed and were refined, becoming imbued with symbolic significance. Like a pearl they acquired many layers of meaning and a high luster. Japanese aesthetics provide a key to understanding artistic works perceivably different from those coming from Western traditions. Nowadays Japanese modern art takes as many forms and expresses as many different ideas as modern art in general, worldwide.

Yuria Harada  “Blood Grown”                  Detail

 

 

 

Noriyo Ogawa                             “ Herbarium”

Ken Kagajo

    Quite often, Japanese Fiber Art is an exercise in simplicity, with an emphasis on natural materials, rough and untrimmed, and an affinity for beauty achieved by accident Many artists do continue to work in the traditional manner, some artists stick to the traditional modes, some doing it with a modern flair, and some choose Western or brand new modes, styles, and media. Their works range from ethereal silk and hemp to paper pulp and synthetic fiber using methods that are sometimes deeply traditional, but sometimes employ the latest technology along with an environmentally conscious "green" ethos. Moving far beyond traditional utility, Japan's textile pioneers fuse past and present to create innovative, beautiful and sometimes challenging works of art.

Michiko Sakuma

Misako Tanaka  “Work 95”                   “Colony”

Shoukoh Kobayashi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shugane Hara

Yuka Osawa

     Contemporary Japanese Fibre Art evolved, throughout Japanese History, into an exquisite art form that subtly conveys their innate sense of elegance and style.  The unique qualities of each piece were achieved through the skills of individual artisans. These labour intensive efforts were reflected through meticulous, time consuming, artistic detail, in addition to the use of wide range of materials and techniques. These incredible textiles reflect an indulgence and desire for luxurious fabrics, blending the evolution of Japanese culture with its history. The results are museum quality, one of a kind and increasingly rare.

Yukako Sorai “Scarabeo”      Mami Idei

Naoe Okamoto

Yasue Shimoshige “Scene V”                   Masao Kusakabe

Takumi Uhio                            Noriko Chioda

Kohrow Kawata “The Bench”                    Takumi Ushio “Shelter”