[Artist Talk] Breathing new life into ready-made products. Contemporary artist Yukari Araki

It's so beautiful, so it would be nice if I could discover a different charm

Mr. Araki: "I often feel that the way I look at things is different from other people. For example, if someone looks at a hose or a tub as an object, I don't see it that way, I think it is beautiful or nice.

All products are on the market because someone designed them and thought they were good, right? Normally, that's all they need to do, but since they are so beautiful, it would be nice to discover a different kind of appeal, so maybe I look at them in a different way. That's why I combine materials that normally don't go next to each other."

Rika: "These are exactly the objects taken in by you (laughs). Do you usually stock materials?"

Yukari: "I keep a stock of things that I thought caught my heart."

Rika: "Is it divided by what? By color?"

Yukari: "I sort them by color, and some that are just plain weird are in random places, and some that are cool are on display. There are quite a lot of them. But some of the big ones are in the way, so I'm thinking of getting them if I get lucky."

Rika: "When you make an art work, what do you want to start from?"

Yukari: "If I think it's yellow this time, I'll look for it and buy it, but if I think I have 'that one', I'll take it out of my stock and stat."

Rika: "It sounds like you're cooking."

Yukari: "That's right! It's very close to the way I feel. I can look for materials, go shopping if I need more, make what I want to make, and feel a sense of accomplishment."

Rika: "How much space do you have for production?"

Yukari: "It's in my home and it's not big at all. I don't want to waste time traveling, I can do my own thing, and time is not a factor at home. I can do it even if my hair is shaggy (laughs). Depending on where the exhibit is, I sometimes go to other places to make it. When I have exhibited in Europe and at Saku-shima, I made my works there."

I like it, so I want to keep doing it

Design: Drawrope Masao Shirasawa Photography: DARUMA Yoshihiro Ozaki

Rika: "The flyer is made by Shirasawa-kun*, isn't it?"

Yukari: "Yes. We didn't talk to each other when we were students, but we knew each other. There aren't many people who continue to create works after graduation, so it's good for each other! Then I asked him if he wanted to work with me, so I started working with him.

We put out a book together every time we have a solo exhibition. I also have a handkerchief. When I held my solo exhibition on Saku-shima, I started making handkerchiefs because I couldn't sell my books on the island. ”

* Masao Shirasawa
One of Aichi's leading graphic designers.
After working at Lens Associates, became independent in 2019 under the name of Drawrope. Active in Nagoya, focusing on designs such as letters and illustrations.

Rika: "What is this MYY?"

Yukari: "I made the work, Mr. Shirasawa did the design, and Mr. Ozaki took the photos, so they are initials of each first name: Yukari, Martin (Mr. Shirasawa's nickname), Yoshihiro. All of this is hand-embroidered by me, so the number of production is small.”

Rika: "Each piece is embroidered!?"

Yukari: "That's right (lol) We are really self-satisfied and make things we like. It's not distributed at all, but it's something we like, so it's one of the things we want to continue. Please get it at the solo exhibition.”

Childhood as a slightly perversed child.

Rika: "Are there people or life models that you look up to? What is your background that makes you want to be like this or be an artist?"

Yukari: "I wonder what it is. But I don't think I can do anything else (laughs). I can't sit and work on my computer all the time."

Rika: "What kind of child were you when you were little?"

Yukari:"I was a bit of a perverse child. When my parents offered to buy me a toy, I used said I didn't want it. I looked at the toy a lot, looked at it like I really wanted it, but said I didn't want it, and after we got  home I tried making it with objects I had.

I used to make things all the time. It was kind of fun, and I think those childhood experiences have led me to my current creations."