Suminagashi is an ancient Japanese marbling technique that has captivated artists and designers worldwide. Zeena Shah, textile artist and author of the book “Marbling”, describes it as a magical and delicate dance with inks on water. The process involves floating sumi ink on water, creating intricate patterns through swirling motions, and capturing those patterns on traditional washi paper. It’s a mesmerizing art form that allows artists to lose themselves in the water and embrace the emergence of unique patterns.
Historically, suminagashi was kept as a carefully guarded secret by the Hiroba family of Echizen until the 19th century. However, today, multidisciplinary artists around the world have embraced the technique. It has evolved beyond two-dimensional art and can now be found in home furnishings. For example, Linh My Truong, an artist who studied under suminagashi master Tadao Fukuda, creates quilted throws and lampshades using her own marbled fabric and paper. Takahiro Kondo, a Japanese ceramicist, has been incorporating suminagashi into his ceramics for over 30 years.
Natascha Maksimovic, a marbling artist based in Margate, finds suminagashi to be a meditative and freeing art form. While you can influence the colors to some extent, you cannot control the pattern, which adds an element of unpredictability and freedom. Maksimovic has recently collaborated with Knots Rugs to bring suminagashi to rugs. The process involved turning her designs into hand-woven rugs, using a variety of natural fibers and dyeing techniques. The result is a collection of eight stunning rugs.
For Lukas Dahlén, a furniture maker based in Sweden, suminagashi presents a unique challenge. He dips his handmade tables and stools into ink baths, allowing the movement of the water to create patterns on the wood. This physically demanding process adds an exciting and spiritual element to his pieces. Pernille Snedker Hansen, founder of Snedker Studio in Copenhagen, uses suminagashi to decorate Nordic wood, transforming it into stunning flooring and furniture. The technique enhances the natural beauty of the wood and adds an intensified ornamentation.
Suminagashi is a captivating art form that continues to inspire and enchant artists and designers worldwide. Its ability to create unique and unpredictable patterns on various mediums makes it a truly magical and versatile technique.
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