Space for new glass
- Maki is a glass sculptor who opened her studio in 2019
- Her work is centred around the beauty of imperfection
- Her techniques are self-developed, they do not come from a mentor or master
Maki Imoto pursued her education at Kurashiki University of Art, specialising in glassmaking. She earned both her Masters and PhD from the same university in 2007 and 2011, respectively. She had the privilege of having a dedicated creative space where she could freely experiment with various techniques, ranging from traditional methods to more avant-garde approaches, accessible around the clock. This environment provided a harmonious blend of theoretical and practical aspects, along with valuable perspectives posed by fellow artists and mentors. For Maki, to truly rediscover a material, one must delve into the history crafted by predecessors over the years and then interpret the material's characteristics on her own. In her view, there is no need to worry about innovation taking over from tradition. Crafts will not develop if tradition is neglected.
Interview
- How would you describe your production process?
- The first step in the overall approach is to make a prototype of the work, usually in clay, but sometimes in other materials. Then the clay prototype is cast in plaster and removed before the glass powder is placed in the moulds. The effect or texture after firing is linked to the way I have spread the glass powder.
- What are your sources of inspiration?
- The first is the relationship between heat and material. Every time I apply heat to glass, the material mutates in different ways, which leads me to the next object I create. The way in which the work affects those who see it raises questions, too: How does tactile perception, which is more fundamental than visual perception, pass from the work to the viewer?
- Has the Covid pandemic had an impact on your work?
- It caused a change in my state of mind. I have spent more time at home than usual, seen fewer people, and so I have had a lot of time alone to concentrate on my work. But all this time has been both positive and negative for me. I have had to confront myself and think about what it means to 'create'.
- What has particularly marked you in your professional life?
- When I was told that my work was "beautiful". Until then, I had not found any beauty in my pieces. I was focusing on other parts of the approach. But by focusing on the craft in relation to the light, I was able to discover the beauty of my work. That moment changed my way of seeing things.
Maki Imoto is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2005
Works
Where
Maki Imoto
