SHIMPEI NAGUMO
WEAVING THREADS OF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Contributor: Danica Evani | Image courtesy of Shimpei Nagumo
UNVEILING THE WORLD OF TUFTING
DE: How did you discover did you discover the art of tufting, and what drew you to express Japanese paintings and Ukiyo-E through this unique technique"?
SN: I first learned about tufting from Instagram Reels. At first, I became interested because it seemed interesting, and I set up an environment for production based on what I saw.
The first piece I made was a bonsai, and I thought the texture of the wool would match the texture of the bonsai leaves. That's what I thought, and I simply wanted to have such a unique rug, so I decided to make it.
When I looked at my completed work, I found it interesting to see the exquisite balance and gap between the profound atmosphere of wabi-sabi in Japanese art and the soft, comical atmosphere of tufting wool, and from there I began to explore Japanese paintings, ukiyo-e, etc. I started making rebooted works.
BRIDGING PAST AND PRESENT
DE: From some of your past work and interview particularly in the creation of your flower and bird rugs, you mentioned reflecting on traditional Japanese lifestyles juxtaposed with modern challenges. How does tufting serve as a bridge between the rich history of Japanese Art and the contemporary complexities of today?
SN: I feel that Japanese art often finds beauty in the subtle places in nature, and I felt that such a perspective is important even in modern times.
In today's hectic world, we can lead a richer life by simply paying attention to the small things in our daily lives, such as enjoying things in nature, the changing seasons, the changes in plants, the colors and beauty of birds and flowers. I think it will be.
By reviving the Japanese art that provides such opportunities in a form that suits modern times, I hope that it will become an opportunity for people to become more familiar with Japanese art and become interested in it.
DE: Your Journey has seen shifts from entrepreneurship to rug artistry, how has your backgroundi n fashion coupled with your experience in running a clothing mail-order site influenced your approach to the art of tufting?
SN: Since I was young, I've always liked making things, so I studied making clothes when I was a student. However, from making clothes, I became interested in the clothes themselves, and before I knew it, I started a business selling clothes, so my life was far removed from the act of making things myself.
However, somewhere along the way, I realized that there was nothing I could do to leave a legacy for future generations if I just did business and bought and sold things, and that's when I came across tufting.
From there, I became more and more absorbed in making things, perhaps partly as a reaction to not making anything before.
BEYOND THE GALLERY
DE: In addition to your solo exhibition, you’ve embarked on producing original rugs using the tufting technique. How do you envision the role of your rugs in people’s lives, and what aspirations do you have for bringing this distinctive art form into your daily spaces?
SN: I believe that tufting will become a new painting technique in the future.
I would like to firmly establish the status of rugs as art rather than interior rugs.
With the concept of “paintings that you want to touch” I would like my works to be displayed on walls and enjoyed as paintings.
FUTURE HORIZONS
DE: Your first solo exhibition marks a significant milestone. Can you offer us a glimpse into any upcoming projects or artistic endeavors that your audience can eagerly anticipate in the near future?
SN: In addition to holding solo exhibitions in Japan, I would like to focus on holding exhibitions overseas as my work has many Japanese motifs. I'm looking forward to seeing how well traditional Japanese art created by Japanese people with a modern sensibility will be accepted by the world.
