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

About solo exhibitions and past works

[Exhibition view of Chocolatory Takasu] From the left "Red" "Silver" "Black" "Gold" (2019)

- We also asked about her solo exhibitions and past works.

Rika: "Did Chocolatry Takasu also provide some objects for this solo exhibition?"

Yukari: "This work is based on the image of the shop, and I used bottles of wine that I've finished drinking and items that can no longer be used at the shop. I was a big fan of the shop, so I was really happy when I first heard about the project."

“Art of Regal” (2018) produced by domestic and foreign artists based on REGAL “Wingtip shoes”

Rika: "Was REGAL's work last year?"

Yukari: "Yes! That was a lot of fun too. Since most of the exhibitions are in galleries, corporate collaborations are very fresh. Artists and creators from Japan and abroad are provided with REGAL's "wingtip shoes," and they can draw pictures based on them or use actual shoes like I did. I created this work with the image of connecting the history of REGAL and the thoughts of its craftsmen, and moving into the future.

Rika: "This work was very cool!"

[Contemporary Art in Toyokawa] "Small Goods" (2015) Former Toyokawa Shinkin Bank Inari Branch

Rika: "Also, the work of Toyokawa Shinkin Bank left a strong impression on me. It was very nice in a room with beautiful light."

Yukari: "I think it was in 2015 when we participated in the Triennale as a regional development project. When I went to preview the site, I was looking forward to see what the space we can use is like, but it was a reception room with piles of cardboard boxes. The room had not even been cleaned in decades, so we started by cleaning it.

As I removed the carpet, cleaned the windows, and cleaned up the place, I found a lot of freebies that customers could get if they made regular deposits, and they were all very nice things like glass and china plates. So I decided to use only glass.

Filling plates and glasses with water so that they reflect the light, I wanted to express my feeling that a bank is like a parent who saves money for the future or for their children. ”

Rika: “No matter what kind of space it is, it can be transformed into something wonderful because you can create something that fits the space.”

"WABI SABI SHIMA" (2015) Quoted from Fondation Thalie's Instagram

Rika: "How did the exhibition in France come about?"

Yukari: "This is really a coincidence. At that time, I was indebted to a gallery in Kyoto, and it seems that the staff there went to a public bath and talked to a foreigner.

"Are you sightseeing?" Then he said he came to look for young Japanese artists. The gallery staff told him about me, and I and another one were selected after making a presentation. ”

Rika: "The staff is amazing!"

Yukari: "That's true. Besides, you don't know what's going to happen. It's strange that coincidences connect like that and something happens somewhere, and it's very exciting."

Finally, we asked the two of them what they respected each other.

Rika: "Yukari is really fuzzy. Today she was serious about it, but usually she's more fuzzy and seems like she's always having a good time (laughs)'. She doesn't show it even when she's having hard time in creating her works, but she's always really serious about working on her work. I love that you don't show it at all when you're playing, even though you're putting your life into it.

As was the case when she was a student, she always seemed to be enjoying what she was creating, and never complained about being tired or anything. And while we were in college,she is always light and clean  while I was usually dirty with ink, tattered, and messy,  (laughs). She always enjoys making things! I think that's what's so wonderful and attractive about her."

Yukari: "That's you who don't say things like she's having a hard time or complain. I like that kind of thing. Rika is a positive person who makes people around her bright. She's really good at that, so I respect her."

Rika: "Huh! I'm happy to hear that!"

Yukari: "We don't have a chance to discuss such things. At first glance, it looks as if she is drawing a lot of works so easily, but it's because the number of drawings she has drawn by now is totally different. It looks like a simple drawing, but I know it's not."

Rika Ito "Beyond the Ideal 'yellow flower'" / Monoprint / 255 x 204mm / 2019

Rika: "Thank you! People often say, 'even I could draw that.'

Yukari: "I understand! I'm often told that I'm only combining things, but I don't think they can do it (laughs)"

Rika: "I know! I can't really do it. Please try. Actually, I wondered if I could draw Yukari's flowerpot, so I gathered materials and tried it, but I was like, 'Oops.'

I have things I want to do, and I have dreams, so I hope we can continue to create each other's works in the future. Thank you very much for your time today. I'll be rooting for you, Yukari!"

Thank you Yukari and Rika. There are many wonderful artists active in the Tokai area.

At Life Designs we would like to continue to pursue the real faces of such artists. Yukari's solo exhibition is being held at Hisaya Odori "Chocolatery Takasu" until December 27th.

Please take this opportunity to visit and see Yukari's work up close!

Photography by Kanae Hori (excluding work photos)