"Japan-wide Art Tour in Saitama" concluded successfully thanks to the overwhelming support and participation.
This time, we spoke with Runner-Up winner Nobue Takei about her daily life and her work.
- Congratulations on the runner-up!
Q. Please tell us about the theme of the works you exhibited this time and the thoughts you put into them.
- Peacocks are omnivorous birds that eat plants, their seeds, fruits, insects, small reptiles and amphibians. In India, they are believed to have the power to remove poison, as they eat poisonous insects and snakes. The peacock motif work exhibited this time is a thread art created in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The peacock, which has the ability to fight poison and emit a beautiful light from its feathers, was created in the hope of providing healing to those who are fighting illness alone, and praying for their speedy recovery.
- It's a work that is filled with thoughts for those who are fighting the COVID-19 virus, those currently battling illness, and all those who come into contact with it.
Q. While many artists use materials such as watercolors and oil paintings, Takei Nobue's works, which are intricately expressed with thread, caught the eye of everyone who came to the exhibition, including the staff. With so many different techniques, what made you decide to become a "thread artist"?
- My start as an artist came when I participated in an open exhibition with like-minded friends, with the desire to make thread art something that anyone can enjoy without restrictions and with more freedom.
Q. You started working as a thread artist in 2018, but were you doing any other work before that?
- When I was young, I got a qualification in knitting and worked as a knitter while working as an employee, making sweaters and suits. After I got married, I sold cosmetics and got a qualification as a color coordinator. I think I've loved working with long strings, threads and colors since I was in elementary school. That hasn't changed, and I love not only yarn art, but also making things using threads and strings. I've had a variety of jobs to get to where I am now, but I feel that all of my experiences are being put to good use.
- You create your works by incorporating your life experiences up to now and your current thoughts.
Q. Where do you usually get ideas for your work? Do the threads you use change depending on the concept or theme?
- Some works are made by nurturing inspiration, and others are born from the image photos of the exhibition. And some works are not inspired and the image takes shape as I work with my hands. Since I am still new to the art world, my work varies from time to time. I make boards, use nails and threads, etc. according to the work.
Q. Some artists who create works tend to be particular about the materials they use. Do you have any particular threads or tools that you are particular about?
- The thread I use most often is Fujix thread, which comes in a wide variety of colors. Another thread I like and use often is the glitter thread from Angel King in Kyoto. It's a very delicate glitter thread, so it gives my work a high-quality sparkle and can be used in a variety of ways, which is really fun.
Q. It seems that you participate in various exhibitions every year, but do you have any plans for future exhibitions or events?
-We are planning to exhibit the following works. Thank you for your cooperation.
・2023/11/6-12 "Dragon and Phoenix Exhibition"
"eternity memory" 2022 Exhibition and Sales
Ginza Art Stone Gallery
・2023/11/30~12/9
21st Century Art Borderless Exhibition aurora The National Art Center, Tokyo Exhibition Rooms 1A and 1B
・Solo exhibition from February 1 to 28, 2024
TOUMAI&VillaTAKAOSAN
- Thank you, Nobue Takei, for taking part in our interview as the runner-up. We look forward to your future endeavors!
-Thank you very much. We are working to make thread art widely known, and we are very grateful that it was featured in this way. We are looking forward to the next FROM ARTIST "Japan-wide Art Trip".
hold you all
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