Awohitokusa

clay and beeswax
h: 6.3, w: 5.3, d: 4.5 cm
2023

Delivery will be made after the exhibition (1/27/2024).

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[Artist Statement (From the exhibition statement)]

"Tama" simply means spirit soul, and in modern times it is used synonymously with "tamashii". Originally, "tama" and "tamashii" had different meanings and were used differently, but there are still various views on the difference between the two and it is not completely clarified. However, both "tama" and "tamashii" are broadly understood as words related to very abstract concepts such as spirit and god, and have been used in Japan since ancient times.
"Tama no Utsuwa" represents something (a container) to which such "tama" or "tamashii" come close. What kind of container is a vessel that contains "tama," an abstract image that cannot be seen by the eye? If I were to express it in a concrete form, how would I depict it? Using ancient ruins, archaeology, and folklore texts as sources of inspiration, I will explore this question from a variety of perspectives, including form, color, scene, and material.

Nana Kuromiya