Description

I am a woodworker whose designs draw from kumiko--a Japanese technique developed roughly 1400-years ago as Buddhist-influenced architecture was brought from mainland Asia to Japan. My works are contemporary interpretations of kumiko--I respect traditional patterns while creating works with both modern and ancient motifs. Kumiko uses narrow pieces of wood (often less than 2 mm) to create intricate geometric patterns. Each piece of wood is cut precisely such that, in many cases, it can be held by pressure when assembled. My compositions are made of hundreds, in many cases more than a thousand individual pieces of wood, each created to a tolerance of roughly 0.05mm. I seek to broaden the exposure to kumiko among artists, artisans, and the broader public. There are few examples of this form outside of Japan, and very few artists working in this tradition in North America. I see my work as a celebration of an enduring tradition. Through it I hope to create a vivid visual experience and to add my voice to this ancient art form.