The source of inspiration by Maoya Kishi

[Title] The Source of Inspiration
[Artist] Maoya Kishi
[Date] September 22 – November 14, 2011

On the dining table can be found toothpicks, wrapping paper from candy and snacks, piles of Styrofoam, plastic bundling bands of electric cord and other odds and ends. There is something entrancing about becoming immersed in the act of gathering up objects normally found scattered around the room, with the hands becoming absorbed in the movement. Do you have memories of the instinctive pleasures of engaging in such playful handiwork?

In this window, artist Maoya Kishi draws from his own remembrances of such crafting – an amusement savored by most anyone during their childhood years. The result is the evoking of traits held in common with artisans.

“Artisans work through the touch, the feeling of materials, in rising to understand the things around them. They are also well versed in the existence of sensations that cannot readily be verbalized. Working with the hands is a source of inspiration. To yield fruits, creative activity requires a perpetual process of trial and error. The course of creation is not simple work. The questions emerging along the way include what parts of the materials to utilize, what combinations of those resources are likely to captivate the heart and mind and other pertinent queries. Demands for ideas are sure to arise at the height of the creative process as well. In that sense, artisans are persons deserving of esteem for their ability to continue to think as they create.”

The act of moving the hands, is to think. The seeds of fresh new inspiration lie latent in the lap of work performed by the hands.

“When I hear the word ‘artisan,’ I am engulfed in an open impression. It may very well be that this conjures up memories of the liberated sense of creating things back in my childhood days. To engender excellence, meanwhile, demands believing in your own feelings. In my view, artisans strive through past experiences to embrace confidence and trust in their own sensitivities.”

Encased within this window are the results of handiwork – a story told by the hands. Gazing at the individual details, meanwhile, provides revealing glimpse into the process of the creative musings of artisans.

Maoya Kishi
Born in 1986 in Osaka. Graduated from Kyoto City University (Fine Art Division under the Art Faculty), majoring in sculpture. Primarily uses combinations of wood, building materials, packing materials and other everyday items to design “creations never seen before” or “objects defying clear understanding,” in producing free-spirited 3D works that refuse to abide by the established notions of sculpture. Kishi’s first one-man show came in 2009 with “Little Castle” (Kodama Gallery). Since that debut, he has presented his creations at “Backronym” (2010, Kodama Gallery in Tokyo), “Hanamuke (Farewell Gift)” (2010, Antenna Art Space) and other personal exhibitions.

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