Tetsuo Kashiwada, who is expanding his field of work as a photographer, displays art he has carefully selected on shelves that cover an entire wall. There are many pieces related to his favorite natural objects, such as wooden carved mountains and plants.
"When I travel, I often look around the city for shops and galleries to see if there are any items I can bring back with me. Especially overseas, art is often sold casually on the streets, and it's nice to feel like it's part of everyday life."
Akio Nukaga
Born in Tokyo. Based in Kasama, Ibaraki, this ceramic artist is beloved overseas. He specializes in creating textured pieces made with red clay and white makeup. His photo block prints and pleatwork are popular. He is scheduled to exhibit at Kuno Touen in Kasama in August.
Yuki Takano
Born in Hokkaido. After working as a fabricator for contemporary art, he is now an artist based in Tokachi, focusing on wood carving. His representative works include Snowy Hidaka Mountains and Wooden Carved Bear. He is planning a solo exhibition in October. For details, see Instagram (@precog_gallery).
Dorien Garry
A Los Angeles-based ceramic artist, he specializes in thick, pop ceramics, known for his hand signs. He also produces everyday items such as vases and bowls. He began his career in the music industry as a tour manager, which is where he continues to work today.
Godeleine de Rosamel
A Los Angeles-based artist who primarily works in ceramics, he prefers low-tech methods and creates using simple materials. He has a strong interest in nature and the history of evolution, and in addition to plant motifs, he also bakes many fictional animals.
Julie Cockburn
Born in London, England in 1966. An artist who mainly applies embroidery and collage to photographs. He also uses discolored bookplates and old drawings as materials to create works that are full of humor and story. He graduated from the sculpture department of art university.
Yuto Yamazaki
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1983. A woodcarving artist who uses plants and everyday items as his subject matter. He graduated from the Sculpture Department of Musashino Art University Graduate School and is currently based in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture. His work is sold at Toyama stores such as cargo.
Instagram: @yamasakiyuto
Last fall, I acquired a photoshopped piece by Julie Cockburn in London.
"He's an artist who embroiders onto existing photographs, known as found photos. It's a process that breathes new life into things that have lost their value, and it's delicate and beautiful. The bird piece was even framed by the artist. I was so happy to learn about that process that I ended up bringing it home with me. I'm really inspired by his vibrant use of color."
The cactus-shaped art in the middle right of the photo below was something Kashiwada came across in America, where he regularly travels for photography.
"I happened to walk into ROSEGALLERY in Los Angeles, where Daido Moriyama and Rinko Kawauchi are also represented, and my eye was caught by some ceramic pieces. That's when I learned about the artist Goderenne de Rothermel. There are many cute pieces, but I chose this one. I don't know if it was intentional or if it was just a coincidence, but the color of the glaze and the way it drips are irresistible... I think I have an eye for things that are rugged yet sophisticated and have a sense of 'rawness,' and I want to keep them close by."
He renovated his studio and home apartment and installed a rosewood shelf in the living room. With his own works and photo books in the background, he brings back art, places it on the shelves, and rearranges it. He also leaves some space and inserts stones and plants in moderation.
