Fujino Sēichiro – Urushi expressionist –
Fujino, Sēichiro is young, established lacquer artist who lives in Ishikawa prefecture in Japan.
Fujino says
“I realize that surface of URUSHI has the strong symbolism.
I believe that the surface is based on climate and convention of nation.
I’m aiming to make works that have original and modern surface.
Its surface should be based on traditional technology.
And I want be contemplating expressions that transcend the realm of mode”
He curves wood, forms and colours, makes texture on the surface layering lacquer. He innovates the traditional techniques and creates the new form of Urushi lacquer ware.
Urushi is botanical lacquer whose technique has been developed in East Asia. It is sometimes called “Japan”, as it pairs up to “China” for porcelain. It is one of the oldest craft materials in Japan, they found 9000 years old lacquered accessory in Hokkaido. It was once a great export goods to Europe from Japan, a well-known Japanese lacquer collection was created by “The tragic Queen” Marie Antoinette.
Urushi lacquer gets hard with moisture. Hence, the warm and wet climate in Japan suits for crafting lacquer, especially in the Japanese sea side, as it is wet in winter. The Lacquer has been adored, and many decoration techniques had been invented. The most known is maki-e and inlay, using gold/silver powder or plate and mother-of-pearl, called raden. Depending on the period and usage, people applied different techniques. On the office accessories hira-maki-e, taka-maki-e, raden, etc. On the architectures kodaiji-maki-e, making form with kanshitsu…etc.
Urushi is very varied in its expression, yet sensitive material. Fujino doesn’t just stay with traditional maki-e technique, but he pursues the textures ofurushi lacquer and the forms of wood. It is very stoic, truthful approach to the materials.
Award
1997 Kanazawa Craft Exhibition,Incentive Award(2002)
2001 Ishikawa Design Exhibition,Kanazawa Mayor Award
2002 Woodcraft Exhibition,Ono-mura,Iwate,Grand Prize
2004 The 45th Japan Crafts Exhibition,Grand Prize
2005 Ishikawa Design Award 2004
Ishikawa International URUSHI Exhibition,Special Prize
2010 Takaoka Crafts Competition 2010,Incentive Award
2013 Contemporary Japanese Tea Ceremony Awards 2013,bronze prize.