Naoko Morisawa

Naoko Morisawa
Seattle, Washington, USA

STATEMENT

Wood is an important component in my art. The life of a tree and the energy in each grain of wood are why I use wood.

My artwork is hand-made of thousands of very small slices of natural and oil-dyed wood chips on board. I like to incorporate the patterns in the wood and enhance them with oil-stain. The variety of wood grain is very beautiful and the pattern is never the same. The combinations of natural and oil-stained grains create interesting shadows and impressions. My imagery comes from common items: a cupcake, shoes, a wave, waterfalls, etc.

When seen from a distance, my artwork looks like a painting. The details of the work and mosaic technique slowly emerge when the viewer comes closer. Look closely and see the vibrancy and movements of the wood patterns. By using wood mosaic I can show the life and energy. I can talk about life and the energetic atoms inside my work with my tiny wood slices.

BIO

Born in Tokyo, I have been a mosaic artist for decades, currently working in the Greater Seattle area and beyond. I moved from Japan to the PNW, USA in 2004. I have exhibited my work across the U.S. in more than 30 states, and in international museums including Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 2019, Bellingham National at Watcom Museum both exhibited in 2019, the Dublin Biennale 2014 in Ireland, National Weather Center Biennale 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma, and Currents 2020 at the National Craft Exhibition and Symposium in Everett, Washington.

Corporate window presentations include Amazon, GE, and Nordstrom.
My artworks have been collected into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, City of Seattle and their neighbor cities located in the North and the South in Washington State, USA.

ARTIST CONTACT

[click to email]
www.naokomorisawa.com

IMAGES