Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences in Japan, it’s been great to follow along on your journey and very moving to read this last post. Safe travels home!
How I envy that you have seen Oki Junko’s work in the flesh so to speak. Long admired the apparently careless skill of it all. I know - as a textile artist myself - that it takes endless hours - as does your work. Expect you’re home by now. What an adventure.
Yes, Junko's work was really wonderful. Though I only included one piece here there was a whole wall of her pieces, each one dense with time. As you say, apparently careless but those tiny, tiny stiches...oh my.
Amazing Sam, I've loved following your Japanese adventure. It brought back memories of my Quebec residency, the snow, the emotions and the utter joy of seeing mini icebergs floating down the St Lawrence river.
Wow, Quebec! Amazing! Thanks Sue. I’m now back in Blighty, killing time in Heathrow with strong coffee, waiting for my Edinburgh connection. Got to re-acclimatise to cold loo seats!
Thank you so much for packing us into your case and taking us along on your amazing residency and immersive Japanese adventure. Unexpected old and new connections, glimpses, and insights, and got me thinking anew. From the sun, palm trees and ash browns and blacks of Lanzarote I’m wishing safe travels home.
Went to Manriques home and studio yesterday. I could have moved in! Inside and outside blurred by glass and mirrors, with circular baths and a modest pool, and of course books everywhere. It had the feel of Kettle’s Yard too. He had an enormous patchworked quilt the colours of the land on one of the beds. It had the same energy as the moon piece you shared from Tokyo.
Havn’t been to the Bond lair yet, hoping to go before we leave. The colours and textures of the island are fascinating, punctuated by charcoal and white striped trunked palms (as well as more familiar ones).
Oh my, this brought back so many memories of life in Japan. What a beautiful post. It seems to me that you and your art are perfectly suited to the Japanese aesthetic, isn't it just a place of such overwhelming beauty?
One of my ex-students is one of the assistant curators of the exhibit you mentioned at the Mori Art Museum; I’ll be sure to pass along your thoughts and insights to him. I’m glad you enjoyed Japan, and since I have yet to see the exhibit myself, I’m even more looking forward to it after reading your post. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. It means a lot to me as well 🤍🩵🤍
Oh that’s great! I really loved the exhibition - I was only able to mention a couple of pieces but the whole show was thoughtful, poetic and worth spending time with.
I’ll let him know your thoughts. We have remained very close over the years since his graduation, and it’s so wonderful to see him doing what he has loved since he was a small boy. We discussed together the idea of expanding the concept of a Japanese artist beyond nationality, toward a broader understanding of people living, working, and creating within the borders of the archipelago, without the constraints of a Japanese passport. I believe this is the first time such an exhibition has been curated in Japan, and he was very excited while preparing for it.
That’s so interesting. I also saw another show at the national art museum that took a similar expended definition, including artists who had made work in Japan, such as Joseph beuys, among others - it really placed the Japanese art in a wider conversation.
There were many lines in your essay where I felt excited to respond with my own thoughts. I will simply say “thank you” for another unique glimpse of things through your eyes/soul, Sam! 🌱
I am looking forward to getting home, it's true Paul, wonderful as it has been - but there will be plenty to take with me back into the studio when I do.
This was so lovely! I had a similiar itinerary when I was in Tokyo and honestly it felt like you put words to what I was processing whilst there, so thank you 💕
The whole series of posts on your residency topped off by this astonishing finale.
The photos of Tokyo juxtaposed to first the sea off Orkney, then the woodcut were gorgeous, and really added to your written descriptions.
And the exhibitions, on the 51st floor!!!!!😱🫣
The textile art is sublime, but the video immersion one absolutely mind blowing. I couldn't work out which way was up just watching the video so no wonder you were disorientated. I wonder what the effect on people with epilepsy is....
Stunning record - thank you for sharing. Time to enjoy Christmas and Hogmanay at home now. 🤗
This entire post, and the videos in particular, put me into another state altogether (in a good way). I’m recovering from a health issue and this is very helpful and relaxing 🙏
Such fascinating exhibitions. Oki Junko’s embroidered works are exquisite, and make me think both of xylem and phloem in cross section, and Confluence. I can almost imagine you sitting drawing these lines.
Aaah I love every Substack I read of yours. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing your words and your incredible art with us!
Thank you Siski, that's so lovely of you to say!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences in Japan, it’s been great to follow along on your journey and very moving to read this last post. Safe travels home!
Thanks Bridget - almost there now!
How I envy that you have seen Oki Junko’s work in the flesh so to speak. Long admired the apparently careless skill of it all. I know - as a textile artist myself - that it takes endless hours - as does your work. Expect you’re home by now. What an adventure.
Yes, Junko's work was really wonderful. Though I only included one piece here there was a whole wall of her pieces, each one dense with time. As you say, apparently careless but those tiny, tiny stiches...oh my.
I have so enjoyed your letters from Japan, and am in awe of "Confluence."
Thank you Carri - nearly home with it now, just one more leg of the trip to go.
Amazing Sam, I've loved following your Japanese adventure. It brought back memories of my Quebec residency, the snow, the emotions and the utter joy of seeing mini icebergs floating down the St Lawrence river.
Wow, Quebec! Amazing! Thanks Sue. I’m now back in Blighty, killing time in Heathrow with strong coffee, waiting for my Edinburgh connection. Got to re-acclimatise to cold loo seats!
Thank you so much for packing us into your case and taking us along on your amazing residency and immersive Japanese adventure. Unexpected old and new connections, glimpses, and insights, and got me thinking anew. From the sun, palm trees and ash browns and blacks of Lanzarote I’m wishing safe travels home.
OH fab, Lanzarote is amazing, all that black sand and big waves! And Manrique's house is like a seventies Bond villain's lair...
Went to Manriques home and studio yesterday. I could have moved in! Inside and outside blurred by glass and mirrors, with circular baths and a modest pool, and of course books everywhere. It had the feel of Kettle’s Yard too. He had an enormous patchworked quilt the colours of the land on one of the beds. It had the same energy as the moon piece you shared from Tokyo.
Havn’t been to the Bond lair yet, hoping to go before we leave. The colours and textures of the island are fascinating, punctuated by charcoal and white striped trunked palms (as well as more familiar ones).
Oh my, this brought back so many memories of life in Japan. What a beautiful post. It seems to me that you and your art are perfectly suited to the Japanese aesthetic, isn't it just a place of such overwhelming beauty?
It is yes, Tamsin, but I feel I only just sctatched the surface. Even so, lots to digest and absorb into my own practice.
One of my ex-students is one of the assistant curators of the exhibit you mentioned at the Mori Art Museum; I’ll be sure to pass along your thoughts and insights to him. I’m glad you enjoyed Japan, and since I have yet to see the exhibit myself, I’m even more looking forward to it after reading your post. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective. It means a lot to me as well 🤍🩵🤍
Oh that’s great! I really loved the exhibition - I was only able to mention a couple of pieces but the whole show was thoughtful, poetic and worth spending time with.
I’ll let him know your thoughts. We have remained very close over the years since his graduation, and it’s so wonderful to see him doing what he has loved since he was a small boy. We discussed together the idea of expanding the concept of a Japanese artist beyond nationality, toward a broader understanding of people living, working, and creating within the borders of the archipelago, without the constraints of a Japanese passport. I believe this is the first time such an exhibition has been curated in Japan, and he was very excited while preparing for it.
That’s so interesting. I also saw another show at the national art museum that took a similar expended definition, including artists who had made work in Japan, such as Joseph beuys, among others - it really placed the Japanese art in a wider conversation.
Amazing to think how the time has passed. I imagine you return, changed. Exited to see how your work reflects this time away.
There were many lines in your essay where I felt excited to respond with my own thoughts. I will simply say “thank you” for another unique glimpse of things through your eyes/soul, Sam! 🌱
Safe travels and welcome home.
Thank you Baird, back in Scotland now with one more leg of the trip back to Orkney today!
What a beautiful way to end your stay! I know you are more than eager to get back home to recover and create more art.
I am looking forward to getting home, it's true Paul, wonderful as it has been - but there will be plenty to take with me back into the studio when I do.
Enjoyed seeing your work in the RSA last Saturday. Reading this makes me want to head back to Japan too!
Oh, thank you! Keep an eye on The Scottish Gallery too as I have wotk in an upcoming show of works from and about The northern Isles. 😊
This was so lovely! I had a similiar itinerary when I was in Tokyo and honestly it felt like you put words to what I was processing whilst there, so thank you 💕
Beautiful Sam.
The whole series of posts on your residency topped off by this astonishing finale.
The photos of Tokyo juxtaposed to first the sea off Orkney, then the woodcut were gorgeous, and really added to your written descriptions.
And the exhibitions, on the 51st floor!!!!!😱🫣
The textile art is sublime, but the video immersion one absolutely mind blowing. I couldn't work out which way was up just watching the video so no wonder you were disorientated. I wonder what the effect on people with epilepsy is....
Stunning record - thank you for sharing. Time to enjoy Christmas and Hogmanay at home now. 🤗
This entire post, and the videos in particular, put me into another state altogether (in a good way). I’m recovering from a health issue and this is very helpful and relaxing 🙏
Such fascinating exhibitions. Oki Junko’s embroidered works are exquisite, and make me think both of xylem and phloem in cross section, and Confluence. I can almost imagine you sitting drawing these lines.