First solo exhibition "Exposed" at Junko Oki Museum of Art, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture

#Travelwithme

The Kamakura Annex of the Museum of Modern Art, Kanagawa Prefecture, opened in 1984. It was designed by Tadashi Otaka (1923-2010). It was designed to blend in with the residential area between the mountains.

After more than 30 years since its opening, it was closed for about two years to renovate the facilities and improve user services, but it reopened on October 12, 2019. The walls of the exhibition room have been renovated, and a cafe space has been added to the terrace facing the sculpture garden.

This is the first solo exhibition at a museum by Junko Oki (1963-), who creates unique works using the technique of embroidery.

The very first piece in this exhibition is a swirl embroidered inside a cross. Junko Oki started embroidering after her mother passed away, and the large amount of thread that was left behind. I thought that this small swirl in the middle was Oki's prayer. The prayers were connected and looked like a rosary.
And at the bottom of the red cross piece called Anna Maria, there was a note about her mother in English. Maybe she was a believer.

Even if you follow her for a long time, there are still new discoveries to be made.
I'm interested in what goes on behind the scenes, so I looked closely at the works that are literally on display, even on the back. There are practically no beading at this point. Even things that look like beading have become art.

The swirls that symbolize Junko Oki's embroidery. Nectar, magnolia, anemone, crape myrtle, plane tree. The various shades of color and the density of the thread create a beautiful sound with a strong presence.

First love is great. Junko Oki's work is the most impressive of the exhibits, not only for the embroidered parts, but also for the form, antique feel, and title.

Post by mnanana | Jul 18, 2024