Good Aliens
5 April – 6 May 2007
One in the Other is pleased to present the work of Japanese artist Satoru Aoyama in his first UK solo exhibition.
Aoyama makes detailed pictorial images in embroidery. He first takes a photograph of the subject that he wishes to embroider and then traces the line of the image onto an organza. Slowly, over long periods of time, he sews the image into the polyester fabric organza using an old industrial sewing machine. Using coloured threads, subtle gradations of tone and texture are achieved by interchanging the colours of the upper and lower bobbins of the machine. This repeats itself until the image is complete.
Within the context of art classification, Aoyama’s work poses an interesting discussion on the traditional distinction between craftwork and the boundaries of masculinity, and the issues on the dividing line between craft and fine art. His subjects for Good Aliens are a series of ornaments: a gold chain, a lighted candle, a bunch of artificial red roses and a tourist souvenir, there is also a cityscape scene of a twilight sky over Tokyo and two semi-abstract works evoking coffee stains.
Aoyama’s images depict things from the everyday, things that can be considered mundane or equally have sentimental value. The composed, detailed embroideries are full of intimate and detached observations that, when sewn with extra-ordinary care, transform into rich, multi-textured pictures.
Aoyama has had solo exhibitions in Chicago, San Antonio, Ibaragi, Japan and Tokyo, Japan.
Hill 2007
Embroidery on polyester,
Diameter 46.5 cm
Roses 2006
Embroidery on polyester,
49 x 55 cm
Candle 2007
Embroidery on polyester,
36.5 x 31.5 cm