Works

Unlike the static structures and linear forms of the urban landscape, water is constantly flowing and shifting, creating a different appearance in every moment. Within spaces where water gathers, I discover a sense of vitality that contrasts with the stillness of everyday life, as well as a sense of depth and mystery created through layers of transparency. A pond is a habitat where diverse forms of life coexist. Though it may appear calm on the surface, life within it is constantly moving, and these movements transform the surface of the water. I found a quiet yet persistent force of life in the koi swimming through the pond and the ripples created by their movement. Through this, I sought to express a vitality that exists in contrast to the stillness of the urban landscape, as well as the depth hidden beneath the surface. Formally, the work is inspired by the layered approach of oil painting, in which layers of paint build depth and density. I applied this method to slip, liquid clay, layering and allowing it to flow like paint. The textures and flowing forms that emerge through this process capture the movement of the water’s surface and the depth concealed beneath it. I hope this work approaches those who feel weary and disconnected within the rapidly moving rhythm of urban life as a small pond. Just as life continues to move beneath an apparently calm surface, I believe that our own vitality, even when it appears still, never truly disappears.