Analogue Life

EN | JP

Copper Suibyo (Water Vessel) / Ø8.5cm x h20.5cm

A water vessel inspired by the Kudara Kannon statue at Horyu-ji Temple. Tankin artist Taiki Sugishima has never forgotten the awe he felt when he first saw the Kannon at the age of 20, and he has since created several works modeled after the water vessel held by the Kannon. For this piece he has modified the shape with his own interpretation to pursue the beauty of the water vessel through a simpler form.

The water vessel is made by combining three parts: the neck, body, and base. Rather than applying an antique finish, the vessel is left in its natural copper state and coated with a clear finish so it will less easily show handprints from handling and will undergo less of a color change with age.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Taiki Sugishima
Taiki Sugishima is skilled in using the natural properties of metal to produce vessels with both beautiful, distinctive forms and expressive textures and surfaces. Sugishima who is skilled at both tankin (hammering) and forging techniques often shapes his vessels using the technique shibori, a process that allows the shaping of hollow forms from a flat sheet of metal by repeated hammering.

Sugishima completed the doctoral program in Sculpture at Hiroshima City University Graduate School of Arts in 2001. He later studied the traditional Japanese metalware craft of tankin as well as forging, with two craftsmen skilled in the respective techniques. Currently he produces a variety of work in different materials from cooking pots and utensils to objects, sculptural pieces, and custom work for architectural projects.