Shoko Fukuda

Textile sculptor

The art of weaving sculpture from lines of thread

Shoko's focus is on materials and structure
She plays with the natural qualities of each material
Experimentation is a key component of her artistic process

The inspiration for Shoko Fukuda's creative journey began when she encountered artworks by Hisako Sekijima, a Japanese sculptural basketry artist. This sparked her interest in textiles, leading her to study weaving and textiles through distance learning. Although inspired by basketry techniques as a starting point, Shoko's approach goes beyond traditional applications of these, celebrating rather the interplay between materials and structure. Her main focus involves creating three-dimensional pieces by intertwining lines. By understanding the unique characteristics of each material, she explores innovative methods of construction. Experimenting with how the physical properties of materials influence weaving, Shoko allows the natural traits of each material to guide her creative process.

Interview

©Kurashi Japanese Crafts

What were your early experiences with creativity?: I was always surrounded by threads and sewing materials from a young age thanks to my mother. I have always enjoyed working with my hands. Looking back, I was obsessed with drawing swirls as well, which closely resembles the hand movements I use in my work now.
What inspired you when you were starting out?: When I was learning to weave on the loom, I found the tensioned warp threads to be very beautiful. This image stayed in my head, along with Hisako Sekijima’s pieces I saw at Yokohama Museum of Art. These experiences inspired me to materialise the vague images I had in my mind.
How do you define your work?: I would define my work as 'soft sculpture', 'three-dimensional fabric', or 'structure of lines'. I always begin by thinking how to weave lines to create a sculptural piece, and then I explore which materials to use as the core, before wrapping them with threads.
What does your creative process look like?: Starting with a structure idea, I bring it to life through planning and experimenting with various materials. Engaging in hands-on experimentation is the best way for me to find inspiration. By observing how each material responds, I constantly reflect on my approach.

Shoko Fukuda is a master artisan: she began her career in 2009 and she started teaching in 2012