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Ferns
VII, 2003
ferns,
wire
dimensions
variable
Courtesy
of artist
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Teika
Itoh begins a project by determining the materials,
closely focusing on the plants before she approaches
the space. She draws a composition of the space, but
as she creates the forms, the piece evolves. Taking
her cues from the individual ferns, she uses the entire
cut fern, its leaves and stem. These are separated and
then joined together to create thin lines, shadows and
forms in space. Itoh larger scale works involve many
assistants and the final work incorporates the human
spirit of each participant.
Conceiving an installation for Glyndor Gallery posed
challenges. The Western architectural details of the
molding and fireplace, as well as the natural light
pouring from the window are strong features compared
to a typical gallery space. In spite of these factors,
the fragile elements maintain a strong energy and cohesiveness.
In Japan ferns are generally associated with happy occasions.
On New Year's Day they are placed beneath the rice cake
that is offered to the gods, and decorative pine trees
are put at the gate to welcome the gods. While Ikebana
is said to have begun as a floral tribute to Buddha,
the earlier Shinto faith worshipped natural forms as
physical incarnations of the gods.
Teika Itoh studied with Kotei Kondo of the Ohara School
of Ikebana. She decided to become an Ikebana artist
in 1985 at the age of 39, after working for 16 years
as an editor. She has developed a unique way of combining
steel grass with copper wires. Itoh continues to study
several forms of traditional Ikebana to enrich her artistic
practice and exploration. She has been influenced the
composition of Japanese painting in particular the special
relationships in a room or between objects and its practice
of making the most of a restricted space. |
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