藍 ai - A life of creativity in Indigo by Sachiko Watanabe Opening Reception
Artist Talk
Sachiko Watanabe will share the story of ai (indigo), from growing plants to making dye material, demonstrating the traditional tools and techniques used to transform indigo plants into dye. Through her artwork and personal experiences, she will discuss the various indigo dyeing methods, her deep connection with nature, her lifestyle and the role that love and care play in her creative practice.
The presentation will include:
- An introduction to the cultivation of indigo, the preparation of natural dye, and the artistic process behind her work.
- A video presentation showcasing her life, practice and creative journey.
- A Q&A session with the audience.
Artist bio:
Sachiko Watanabe (渡辺幸子) was born in 1977 in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. After studying textile design at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, she encountered natural indigo dye at the Iyo Kasuri Centre in Ehime. This encounter marked the beginning of a practice that has continued for more than 20 years. Sachiko later moved to Onomichi, Hiroshima, where she developed her work with indigo. Today, she grows her own indigo plants on Mukaishima, an island off the coast of Onomichi. She combines her harvest with sukumo, traditionally fermented indigo leaves from Tokushima Prefecture, to create her own natural dye. Living in a traditional Japanese house, where she also exhibits and sells her work, Sachiko continues to work closely with indigo each day. Through her textiles, she hopes to share its quiet beauty and to remind us of the natural world that surrounds and embraces us.
Her exhibitions include Indigo in Our Daily Lives (2019), Indigo, Simultaneously (2021), Indigo in Winter (2021), Indigo in Darkness (2022), and Intaking Indigo (2024)
Photo: © Toshinori Tanaka
