Tanaka Tomomi
At the Bottom of the Sea, 2024
Material: ceramic
“There was a piece I made when I was a student, which was done very well, but I carelessly dropped and chipped it. It has stuck with me for a long time, so I decided to try making it again.
To remove the sand from the clams, put the clams in a bowl with salt water and leave it in a dark and quiet place. Every now and then in the quiet kitchen, I can hear the clams moving….rustling….rustling….rustling.
What are they thinking about at the bottom of the dark sea?”
Tanaka Tomomi specializes in a intricate sculptures, crafted with meticulous layers of clay lamellas affixed to a hand-built clay core. This technique evolved from a spontaneous moment of inspiration when Tomomi found herself captivated by a piece of flattened clay. During the early stages of her development, Tomomi described feeling an almost frantic need to express her suppressed emotions through the medium of clay. She started by attaching thin, delicate lamellas to simple, spherical cores. Subsequently, form has always been secondary to the process. As Tomomi delved deeper into her craft, she began experimenting with a range of core shapes and lamella sizes. The organic, flowing forms reminiscent of waves, limbs, and waists emerged as she played with pulling and constricting the core forms. Thus, representing a transformational period in Tomomi’s work. Signaling the dawn of more complex, immersive sculptures.
| Dimensions | 6.5 × 4.5 × 4.5 in |
|---|---|
| Artist | |
| Date | 2024 |
| Exhibitions | it may be too personal | Tanaka Tomomi |
| Material | Ceramic |
| Style |
