Arko

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.