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Seekers® presents the work of Naoko Takenouchi,
who creates handblown glass vessels with ethereal colors and intricate engraved
designs.
Each of the pieces in her Goddess and Spirit
series of bowls and vases has a unique engraved design, usually depicting a
visual metaphor or allegory. Naoko blows the vessel, usually in two transparent
colors with a crystal foot. She usually engraves the design on the inside, and
the transparent colors allow the viewer to see the juxtaposition of the entire
scene from any angle. Through these pieces she conveys her sensitive
interpretations of human figures, flowers, trees, animals, birds and other
related images.
Her series called "Horn of Life"
offers a refined sculptural form on which detailed engravings of birds, fish,
shells, flowers or other organic subjects are conveyed. She blows the vessel,
etches away to reveal the bottom color, and then inlays the surface, front and
back, with sheets of silver leaf. When the piece has cooled, she then engraves
designs onto the areas covered with silver leaf.
Takenouchi uses classic engraving techniques,
some dating back to Roman times. Another process she uses was originated in the
1870s and involves high-pressure etching with fine grain garnet beads. Although
she may repeat themes, each piece is unique in color, form and images used.
Takenouchi has worked as a glass artist since
1983, when she began a four-year course of study in design and glassblowing at
the Tama Art University, Tokyo. Subsequently, she studied glassblowing at the
highly regarded New York Experimental Glass Workshop. In 1993, and again in
1998, she was honored with scholarships to attend the world-renowned Pilchuck
Glass School in Washington state.
In 1995 her glass art was among only 100 pieces
selected from thousands of international applicants and for inclusion in the
prestigious New Glass Review 16, which is published annually by the Corning
Museum of Glass.
Takenouchi’s work has been shown at major
galleries, museums and juried exhibitions throughout the world. In 1995 she
exhibited her work at The International Exhibition of Glass Kanazawa and The
Canadian Craft Museum. Among her commission are two CBC Sports Awards for the
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the President’s Award for Starbucks
Coffee.
Her work is included in numerous private
collections in Japan, Canada, Europe, Great Britain and the United States.
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