SASAI FUMIE is a unique artist in the field of contemporary Japanese lacquer art. Many lacquer artists focus on the decorative aspects of lacquer. Sasai is, however, more interested in lacquer itself and what it holds. She has attempted to shape life' with lacquer since she found 'life' in lacquer.

Before attending Kyoto City University of Arts she had planned to learn ceramics, though she eventually chose to learn lacquer, because she came to know and prefer one of its distinct features, that being the long process in which many thin layers of lacquer are applied. As additional coats are added, the lacquer piece itself gradually becomes larger and solider as if it were a living, growing thing. She also paid close attention to the lacquer's itself. Usually, coating mediums dry with evaporation of moisture; lacquer, however, needs a certain amount of humidity to dry. When she understood that lacquer cannot be firm without water, she came to view lacquer as in a sense living. Moreover, lacquer comes from tree sap, which is to plants as blood is to humans and animals; she considers blood to be the part of humans through which they can most directly feel the energy of life in their bodies. These impressions of lacquer as a living thing motivated her to express something tied to nature, concentrating on lacquer's 'life'.

Currently, she makes pieces inspired by living things' reproductive functions as well as the shapes of organs, cells, and all other parts relating to living things' reproduction. She started making the series of these pieces because she thought that the energy of life lacquer holds inside is quite similar to living things' internal energy, especially in reproduction, the beginning of life. In the case of human reproductive process, fertilized eggs, embryos, and pre-born child are enveloped in membrane and uteruses. This indicated to her that all basic parts of human life are enveloped in skin-like things. It was the start of life, and this concept of layers of skin--like the thin layers of lacquer which are slowly applied to create a piece--combined with her concept of lacquer as a living being which provided the inspiration for this series. Living creatures are always covered with something which is both part of their bodies and alive itself, a concept which always underlies Sasai's art. For her, making her pieces with lacquer means identifying herself as one of these living things.

In addition to the organic shapes inspired by the similarity between lacquer and living things, she also focuses on the texture of lacquer. She says that the best way to feel the texture is to touch lacquer pieces. If we touch them, we can feel not only the smoothness but also the warmth, closer to body temperature than ceramics or metals. The warmth is another facet of the 'life' she identifies in lacquer. If you can enfold one of the pieces in your arms, you will able to feel the warmth of life better. When the surfaces of her pieces are touched, the oil of hands is absorbed by lacquer. The more the pieces are stroked gently, the glossier and more mature they become. This in turn reminds us of holding babies and watching their growth. We hope you will enjoy not only seeing, but feeling Sasai's lacquer creations.