“Wood can be used to build houses and make furniture; yet, even a tiny scratch from a fingernail can leave a mark on it. It’s a material that is both hard and soft, a mysterious hardness that suits me well.” This hardness, influenced by the type of tree and its growth conditions, is inherent in every piece of wood from the moment it is cut. Even as it undergoes processing and usage, it doesn’t change much. This simple quality makes her feel close to the trees.
Wood, much like humans, exhibits sensitivity to extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity. It shares a common trait of constantly seeking sunlight and adapting to overcome obstacles by finding alternative paths for growth. Over the years, wood gradually develops, delving deeper into its existence. She frequently emphasizes the importance of appreciating the aging process of wood. “Look at that pink ivory wood captured in the photos. It transforms from vibrant pink to a serene, brownish-pink shade. It’s such a beautiful color! But I wonder if it means I am getting old?”
Chiaki, a woodworker originally from Japan and currently residing in Tainan, infuses her woodworking pieces with gentle curves and graceful, flowing shapes. “I approach the design in a simple form, but not with the intention of making the artworks appear simple.”
“A while back, I had a sudden realization that woodworking and collecting fossils share similarities. To me, every piece of wood holds a resemblance to a fossil. As if I can envision the presence of dinosaur bones, I have this urge within me to excavate these hidden treasures swiftly; but I am also aware that once a piece of wood is removed, it can never be restored to its original state. Hence, I always think carefully before taking action.”
Her first woodworking project took place during her studies at Musashino Art University in Tokyo. “I made a lot of furniture, but many of them lacked practicality. When I graduated, my room was filled with all sorts of impractical objects, and I ended up throwing almost everything away. My mother still keeps the first chair I made, despite it’s uncomfortable to sit on. She cherishes it dearly.”
In the past, her focus laid on the satisfaction of completing a piece of work. However, as time passed, she began to take a step back and engage in quiet contemplation, considering what the work would become once it ventured beyond her own hands. “Strangely, the more refined a piece was, the more enjoyable the process of crafting it became, and I never get tired of it. Now I can feel the joy of witnessing my works being used.”
In moments when something is discarded or lost, she experiences a profound realization. “What has accompanied me throughout the years, be they industrial products or creations by artists, they all have something in common — they convey the ‘intention of the creator’. It is a feeling similar to when people say that something has a soul. The intrinsic value of these objects does not solely depend on their complexity or artistic nature. Instead, it lies in their inherent ability to assume a shape that feels innate, as if they were born with it. These items often unveil beauty in ways that cannot be seen with the naked eye.”
To bring forth that nearly essential essence and allow it to resurface and be revealed, the process requires a certain level of compliance, tolerance, and introspection. Through these qualities, the intricate textures of growth rings and even the tiny pores become visible, unveiling the wood’s journey and its growth. Chiaki thinks that wood possesses its own distinct sensuality. Perhaps it is precisely because we can see through its layers that it cannot be easily concealed or buried away.
Her studio, aptly named Oval Objs, derives its identity from an elusive shape that resides neither in the realm of squareness nor circularity, but where these two forms converge and interact. Perhaps in the lifespan of wood, which far surpasses that of humans, our pursuit should be to strive for understanding and to heed our innate instincts, and the objects that resist easy categorization will also find their place in the world. Gradually, in a manner that may seem sporadic yet focused, they navigate their paths.
“I consciously make choices to surround myself with things that surpass the realm of ordinary. The gradual accumulation of specialness and happiness serves as a reminder to cherish myself. I hope my work can have a similar impact on others.”
