Arko
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Arko
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Arko lives and works in Japan. She has exhibited internationally in Quiet Vitality at SOMEWHERE TOKYO (2025); LOEWE Crafted World at Yodobashi J6, Tokyo (2025) and the Shanghai Exhibition Center, Shanghai (2024); Shades of Light at Galerie56 × Sarah Myerscough Gallery, New York (2024); Reframing at World Kitaaoyama Building, Tokyo (2024); Laboratorium For Flet on Wickerwork at Sophienholm Art Gallery, Copenhagen (2024); Material, or at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, Tokyo (2023); Straw and Life at SOMEWHERE TOKYO (2023); and LOEWE Weaves at Sotheby’s, New York (2021).In 2018 she was shortlisted for the Loewe Craft Prize and exhibited at the Design Museum, London. Earlier exhibitions include Changing Attitude at Japan House, Tokyo (2019); Loewe Baskets during Milan Design Week, Italy (2019); Object Come from the Earth at Gallery Utsuwakan, Kyoto (2018); and Say No to Limits at the National Museum of China, Beijing (2007).
Arko’s sculptures use rice straw, a by-product of the rice plant. The material previously played a significant role in everyday Japanese life and was used to make items such as shoes, coats, blankets, and food wrappers. Now its main use is for the production of traditional straw festoons, which are holy ornaments for Shinto New Year ceremonies. It has almost faded out from modern life, despite large volumes of rice crops still being produced for food consumption. Arko’s practice aims to reinvigorate the material by creating something new with it, to highlight it again within contemporary society and inspire feelings of respect for the natural world that provides us with sustenance.
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