I recently stumbled across the work of Japanese artist, Mariko Kusumoto.
Kusumoto is based in Massachusetts and works with fiber, metal, and fabric. I was particularly drawn to her fiber works, which are mesmerizing in their detail and translucence, vaguely resembling underwater creatures and flora. She does not specify what her works depict, instead letting the viewer decide. She says on her website:
“My work reflects various, observable phenomena that stimulate my mind and senses; they can be natural or man-made. I ‘reorganize’ them into a new presentation that can be described as surreal, amusing, graceful, or unexpected. A playful, happy atmosphere pervades my work. I always like to leave some space for the viewer’s imagination; I hope the viewer experiences discovery, surprise, and wonder through my work.”
Her fiber works are small and translucent, and look delicate and light. At the same time, the use of floral motifs that bloom outward paired with bright colors animate her works, almost as if they were found in nature.
In spite of the room that she leaves for interpretation, a number of companies/collaborators have also identified the underwater theme of some of her work and commissioned her work for advertising campaigns. Cosmetics and skincare brand La Mer, which centers the ocean in their marketing and has a live fish tank in each store, used her work in a mother’s day campaign.
