ART LIVES TORIDE Where Art Is Born

-Takashi Takayama

The work is made by beating the metal to give it expression, changing its shape, and welding it together. I originally chose the genre of metal forging because I love motorcycles and wanted to create something with the material of metal.
You may have an image of metal as being very cold or hard, but in fact, it is a material that can have a very soft expression and warmth in some situations.

I was looking for a place where I could do my metal work, which requires welding and makes noise, and I was introduced to KOBUNMA KOUBOU when I was looking for a place where I could do that kind of work.
I spent a lot of time here, feeling the changes of the four seasons in the abundant nature, so I wondered what would come closest to replacing it with metal, and I first chose iron, and started modeling plants.

I have recently been thinking that it would be good to have a production style that does not rely on the commercial base.I don’t know yet where I will end up, but I have a strong feeling that it would be good if I could create my works with an easy feeling and be involved in society in some way. I have not made many presentations in the past few years, and I have been thinking recently that this is not the right time for me to be so active in society, and that it is probably time for me to mature myself a bit more.

-Tadaharu Nemoto

I have always liked to make things, but I had given up on iron as a material, or rather, I thought iron was something very far that I couldn’t do it myself. I met Mr. Takayama at my previous workplace, and when I was given the opportunity to work with iron. I thought, “I can do that too.” It was just interesting to see the shape changing as I tapped and stuck the pieces together.
I am happy when people suddenly acknowledge or praise me, saying, “That looks nice.”

Right now I only do welding and such, but I would like to learn about tapping and drawing, and I would also like to try lacquer like Mr. Shibata does. I heard that lacquer can also be applied to steel, and I really want to try and learn more about it.

-Sugiyama Keiko

After working for a long time in design at an advertising production company, I suddenly remembered that I wanted to draw illustrations, and I started drawing illustrations. Before going freelance, I decided to strengthen my skills and entered a university in London. There, I discovered printmaking, a printmaking technique called “etching” that suited me well, and decided on “plants” as my theme.

If it is a “plant” that can be pictured, I print anything from flowers, berries, leaves and stems. First of all, I use “plants” that have interesting shapes as motifs, but I am also looking for inherent interest in plants that are familiar to us. I create installations that expand and accumulate motifs that are both familiar and unfamiliar to the viewer.

The finished product looks soft and gentle, partly because it is made of flowers and plants and partly because I use Japanese paper, which is compatible with the expression of plants, but I also think it is important to have a little “poison” in the work. I always try to do my work in a way that is not flowing. Whenever I create a piece of work, I always try to create something that is not flowing and that comes to life.

I have been working alone in my studio all my life, so the advantage of joining “Omonma Kobo” is that I can get to know artists from various genres. I am glad to be a member of this group because I am able to use different tools and learn about their techniques and the way they approach their work.

-Shibata Katsuya

I was originally a part-time teacher at Tokyo University of the Arts, Toride Campus, and now I also teach at Shoyo High School.
One of my colleagues at the University of the Arts wanted a studio in this area, and when we were looking for one, we happened to get information from a board member of an agricultural cooperative that this place was available, and the first six of us decided to rent it. The basic idea is to provide shelter from the wind and rain and to allow people to work in a relaxed atmosphere, and then they are free to bring their own tools.

In Tokyo, the space may be too small, there may be sound problems with neighbors, or people may wonder what you are doing. I think that as long as you have the basics, the place can become a studio.

It is not like giving something back to the local community, but we are also running a free studio day with the hope that we can do something to make more people aware of our work. We open our studio once a month and people are free to do whatever they want.
Lacquer is an old and difficult material to handle, and people think it is made of gold and silver, but everyone uses chopsticks and bowls, right? So it is a surprisingly familiar object. But there are also high-value items and a very wide range of products. Lacquer is just a liquid and a paint, so it can be used to make all kinds of things, but this wide range is part of its charm and is suited to the Japanese climate.

I think that crafts are an art for people to have a rich and enjoyable life. It makes me happy to know that you all enjoy my works and feel that they are enjoyable in your hearts, and I would be happy if I could create something like that. I think the best thing to do is to have fun without thinking too hard.

Omonma Koubo exterior