Touch Points: The Art of Junko Mori
Junko Mori graduated from Musashino Art University in Tokyo in 1997 with a BA in three-dimensional design, and later studied silversmithing and metalwork at Camberwell College of Arts in London. She is perhaps best known for her hand-forged metal sculptures that are both organic and minimalist, and in particular for Propagation Project, now in the collection of the major international museums, including: The British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, The Museum of Honolulu, Honolulu Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Scotland, among others. Work in the series capture the quirky beauty that we find in nature.
On her creative process, Mori states, “I weld my works ‘unconsciously. and let them grow. At one point, I think “Oh, it’s beautiful” and I stop. I don’t twist the notion of beauty. The uncontrollable beauty is the core of my concept.” In this regard, Mori doesn’t seek to impose meaning and has even said of her works, “I don’t like writing long statements and asking people to read them to understand my work. It’s not needed. I’m totally happy if someone says: ‘That’s pretty. I love it.’ Or if someone says: ‘Oh, I really hate spiky things.’ It’s fine.”
IJ