KOSA 2 (Intersect 2)
2021
16 cm ⌀
American Cherry, slate, paper string
Kazuhito Takadoi
HEISEI 2 (Tranquility 2)
2022
77cm ⌀ x 20cm
Hawthorn twigs, black waxed linen twine, beech twig, gold leaf
SEPPEN 4 (Snowflake 4)
2022
37 x 24 x 5 cms
Oak, Beech twig, paper string
JIN (Kernel)
2020
73 x 65 x 23 cms
Hawthorn twigs, waxed linen twine
SHUTSUGA (Sprouting)
2021
66 x 86.5 cms
Washi paper, gold leaf, grass, Sweet Chestnut leaf
SHINTOU 2
2021
130 x 60 x 35 cms
Hawthorn twigs, black and white waxed linen twine
IDOU (Migration)
2018
66 x 86.5 cms
Washi paper, gold leaf, grass, paper string dyed with sumi ink
YUHI (Setting sun)
2022
51 x 62 cms
Washi paper, grass, beech twigs, gold leaf
ASATSUYU 2 (Morning dew 2)
2020
53 x 62 cms
Washi paper, grass, gold leaf, Beech branch
Japanese artist Kazuhito Takadoi is based in the UK. He creates serene sculptural forms from natural materials that are woven, stitched or tied. Shadow plays a part in his organic pieces which embody both fragility and strength. As with nature, his art evolves over time as colours and materials can subtly change. His work is in private and public collections including the V&A.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I was born in Nagoya, Japan and lived there until my mid twenties. After spending time studying in the UK and the USA I decided to settle in the UK.
Your art studies incorporated garden design. Did you always intend to do art or did that passion happen once you started studying at Hokkaido Agricultural and Horticultural College in Japan?
Although I always had an interest in art it never occurred to me that a career as an artist was a possibility. My time at Hokkaido Agriculture and Horticulture College lead me more to the horticultural side. I then went on to study at RHS Wisley in the UK and Longwood Gardens in the USA. Following on from this I decided on a degree course in garden design at Leeds Metropolitan University, however the course included art. By the end of the three years I found I was more interested in the art rather than the garden design.
How do you describe your work and what techniques do you typically use?
I have given up trying to describe my work. I just let other people try to categorise it, but so far nobody has come up with a really good description. As for my methods, I just improvise. I have never studied weaving or sewing or basketry, my techniques are self taught by trial and error.
How do you create a piece?
My hawthorn sculptures start off with an idea of what size and shape I want but once they get underway things can change. Working with natural materials means you sometimes just have to accept that results are not always going to be entirely predictable.
With my other works things are very different, they are carefully and precisely planned. But hopefully the result looks completely spontaneous.
How long does a piece take to create?
The time varies a lot. For a small piece such as KOSA 2 (Intersect 2) maybe just a couple of weeks but a large piece like JIN (kernel) very much longer. The hawthorn needs to be harvested, left to dry for about a year or so, then de-thorned before I start on the construction. The construction alone can run into months.
What is your career highlight so far?
My career so far seems to have been a long series of happy accidents, good things just seem to happen. Having a piece of work in the V&A collection is just unbelievable. Getting a special mention in the Loewe Craft Prize was an unexpected surprise. However I am very lucky to have a great gallery behind me, so maybe all the ‘luck’ I seem to have is simply down to all the hard work by jaggedart, London.
What advice can you give to people who are aspiring textile artists?
The advice I would give to any artist is don’t try to produce work that you think the market wants. Find your own unique style, be experimental, be daring, break the rules, make up your own rules. But above all, be happy because if you are unhappy it will show in your work. If your work is good it will find it’s own market.
https://www.instagram.com/kazuhitotakadoi/
Kazhuito is solely represented by jaggedart, London.