An Introduction to My Work

Samiro YUNOKI

The basis for my work is katazome, a method of dyeing which involves carving a design into katagami, or paper stencil, then adding resist to the fabric through those openings and finally dyeing the fabric. My mentor Keisuke Serizawa once said that the essence of the dyeing process was getting the right balance between dyed and undyed areas. And I consider that balance to be the starting point for all my work.The unconvoluted and straightforward nature of katazome suits my character as a means of artistic expression. I want my works to require as little explanation as possible. When you look at my works, I consider it far more important whether or not you understand something about them, and whether or not you feel something stir inside you after viewing them.

I like to think of the process of dyeing fabric as something like "dressing up" the cloth so that it will look better no matter in which way it is ultimately used. To do that well, one needs to understand the function and character of the fabric and know how to bring out these qualities so that the material will look even more beautiful.

I reflect upon my work in the middle of the creative process. Even as I continue working on my creation, I am thinking about my work. In fact, it is possible for a piece of work in the final stages to come out completely different from how it was conceived in the initial stages. Watching the vividness of the work increase throughout each stage of the process is the moet spiritually uplifting part of my work.