Glass artist

Kuroki Kuniaki

Ingenious quenching chain

It is often said that life contains infinite possibilities, but in fact glass is no different. It can be used not only as a container and building material, but also as an exquisite and transparent artwork. The famous Japanese glass artist Kuroki Kuroki used a pair of ingenious hands and delicate touch to integrate culture, terroir, history, environment and other elements into glass crafts. Earlier Yuhua Guohuo held the first exhibition of Kuroki Kozaki in order to let Hong Kong people feel the beauty of glass and promote the exchange of arts and culture between Hong Kong and Japan. Under the spotlight, his work shows the transparent side of the glass, which makes the viewer's heart become clear.

Original intention

Many artists have discovered that they have a talent that is different from ordinary people since childhood, but few people will be like Kuroki Kazhao, and they remember exactly when they became obsessed with glass. "I fell in love with glass on March 13, 1982, at 2:59 pm. On that day, I saw the material glass for the first time Touching the glass ... While I was surprised at this, I also realized the power of glass. "Before graduating from high school, he accidentally saw promotional materials from a glass factory in Tokyo and decided to work there. During the factory visit, he gazed at the light of the setting sun falling on the glass, and suddenly felt that the light emitted by the glass was more dazzling than the diamond, and was deeply moved. Talking about the encounter with the glass, the corner of his mouth unconsciously lifted up, his eyes shining brightly, as if he were an aspiring teenager.

Since the old Japanese companies mostly adopted a lifetime employment system, the first career after graduation was actually the students ’lifelong career. At this critical stage of life, Kuroki Guozhao decided to be with glass. Even if he spends a long time in a hot working environment every day, he has never diminished his enthusiasm for glass. It is precisely because of this original intention that he won the reputation of "Modern Famous Worker" and won many awards in Japan and around the world, such as the "Japan-France Art and Culture Award", "French International Art and Culture Award", "Rome Award", "Asia" "Art Medal of Honor" and so on.

The combination of East and West reveals the beauty of Japan

There is always a day when the paper is worn out and yellowed, and the color of the paintbrush will gradually fade over time, but the glass is always new, and it can still maintain its original appearance even if it spans thousands of years. When everyone only regards glass as the material of the West, only Kuroki Kokuzhao thought that he could integrate into Japanese culture and open up a new world of glass that he had never seen before. He diligently studied glass craftsmanship and continued to seek breakthroughs, creating a number of popular series, including "Guanglin", "Japanese Historical Romance", "New Century Romance", and "Ayakoko". Each series is unique.

"Guanglin" surpassed the Japanese decorative painting school "Linpai" of the 17th and 18th centuries on glass, using traditional techniques such as elephant embedding and maki, to gorgeously present Japanese customs and culture. "History and Romance in Japan" reproduces the works of the 53rd Tokaido of Ukiyo-e painter Hirokawa and the "Thirty-Six Views of Fuyue" series by Katsushika Hokusai, using glass materials to present the texture of prints. There is both Eastern romance and of course Western romance. The "New Century Romance" series is based on the work of French glass art master Emile Carre, and then adds Kuroki Kozaki's own interpretation to reproduce the old works of art from the perspective of the Japanese and modern people. "Ayakako" promotes environmental protection and was inspired by the evergreen broad-leaved woods of Aya-cho, Miyazaki Prefecture. The work is made with a new sharp-angle cutting technique, which will reflect the dazzling light from different angles. In this way, the collision and union between the East and the West are interwoven into one piece of glass art after another. Kuroki Kuroki seems to regard glass as a vivid textbook, persistently recording the customs and customs of Japan, and shouldering the important task of inheriting history and culture.

Seeing life through glass

Life is full of all kinds of worries. Occasionally admiring the crystal glass art is probably a joy to cleanse the soul. However, how do people who make glass artworks view the existence of glass? "For me, glass is life itself, and it is the material that leads me in life, and it also allows me to penetrate into the way of survival. Glass is transparent and works in the face of transparent materials. If we have distorted ideas, then The glass that is made will also become curved. "If making glass art is the practice of life, it is not an exaggeration. In addition to having a firm will and patience, craftsmen must put turbid thoughts behind their heads in order to make clear and flawless glass.

Continue the process

For fifty-five years, Kuroki Kokuzaki has spared no effort to use glass to promote the beauty of Japan, and developed new technologies to expand the possibility of glass as a material, and fully demonstrate the Japanese "spirit of the staff". As a glass artist, he also did not forget his mission of inheriting craftsmanship, so he went to the Hsinchu School in Taiwan and the Art University in Taipei many times to communicate with students and demonstrate the production process, imparting technology to those who are interested in the glass industry. In the future, Kuroki Guozhao hopes to communicate with Hong Kong artists and discover more unique methods of artistic expression.

Perhaps the reason why Kuroki Guozhao's works are so impressive is that they all carry the artist's perseverance and a concept of excellence and breakthrough. The distinct colors and fine cuts on the glass highlight the unique texture and temperature of the glass.

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(by https://www.youtube.com/embed/gne5bjDYV7A)