Japanese artist Aiko Tezuka designed a series of textiles that reference different cultures at different times, such as Singapore’s Peranakan culture in the 20th century, Britain in the 16th century, Japan in the 8th century and India in the 18th century. The TextielLab made a custom warp of coloured yarn especially for the series.
The tapestry Certainty / Entropy (Japan 1) refers to Stand cover (kyokechi-dyed fabric) in the 8th century of Japan. Contemporary symbols are sprinkled over the traditional pattern as a part of flowers. Tezuka incorporated symbols – such as the at (@) and copyright (©) symbols, biohazard symbol (representing environmental risks), organic food symbol and the peace sign – which are at odds with dominant traditional imagery. The peace sign, for instance, symbolises universal peace and equality but is also frequently appropriatedby profit-driven companies. By partially unravelling the threads in her work, Tezuka uncovers the multiple layers and interests at play across times and cultures, creating a new composition.
Tezuka (Tokyo, 1976) studied painting at Musashino Art University in Tokyo. Her works resemble physically collapsed paintings, in which two-dimensional images are reinterpreted as three-dimensional entities. Her practice is based on fabrics and incorporates multiple influences, including Gobelin tapestries, Indian fabrics and old tablecloths.
The influence of cultures on each other is a central theme in Aiko Tezuka’s work. Numerous galleries and museums around the world have exhibited her work, including The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in South Korea, Mikiko Sato Gallery in Hamburg and The National Art Center in Tokyo. She currently lives and works in Berlin.
