Artist Statement
 

“Yesterday and today are similar but they are not the same. And tomorrow is always new.”

 – Poem-Time, by Shuntarō Tanikawa

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I begin my artwork by extracting colors from plants and natural materials, including  dye plants I grow in my garden and food waste collected from local Denver neighbors, restaurants, ramen shops, and flower shops. Whether through dyeing or making ink, reconnecting with colors that come directly from nature is very important to me. To me, natural colors are the most beautiful in the world.

I use these colors on textiles, wood panels and paper to express my identity as a Japanese “gaijin,” or “outsider,” living in the United States, as well as my feelings of joy, hope, and resilience in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful-painful world. Recently, I have started combining natural and synthetic materials - embracing both the impermanence of nature and the permanence of technology.

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Community connection is central to my practice. I often lead workshops that give people the chance to experience natural colors and cultural traditions. This is why I enjoy exhibiting in public spaces such as cafés, restaurants, hair salons, flower shops, and dance theaters - places where people can encounter my art in unexpected ways.

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Ultimately, my goal is to create spaces that offer comfort and healing. I believe engaging with my artworks is like picking flowers, walking in the woods, or swimming in the ocean - an experience that brings calm and serenity.

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