Vast

Nagakura Kenichi, born in Shizuoka, learned basket-making from his grandfather, but only after studying yuzen paste-resist dyeing of fabric for kimonos and then abandoning that traditional craft. He works and exhibits outside the establishment of craft arts associations that many Japanese bamboo artists are affiliated with and takes his inspiration from disparate sources, including European art and American pop art, as well as indigenous art forms of Japan, such as ancient Jomon ceramics. Naturally occurring shapes and forms often provide the basis for his works and his baskets display an earthy quality with rhythmic, energized surfaces that also reflect his interest in jazz, classical, and rock music. “I want to reduce the complexity of my feelings into my work like a poet does when writing a haiku. For me it is very important that I can use parts of a bamboo plant from above ground and parts from below ground. I like to add bamboo roots to some of my work as a reminder of the dark side of life. This creates greater harmony.”