Common Ground exhibition presents Japanese artists work

Kayo brooches 2014

Touchstones Rochdale present together for the first time the work of Junko Mori, Kayo Saito and Ikuko Iwamoto, three makers from Japan whose work exquisitely reflects and responds to the natural world.

Junko Mori's stunning sculptures each consist of multiples of individually forged steel, brought together to create free-standing and wall-mounted objects which vary in size from the small Cell series to large-scale works. Her detailed observations of tree and plant matter are the driving force behind her pieces.

Ceramicist Ikuko Iwamoto makes porcelain tableware and sculptural wall pieces based on the repetitive patterns such as those seen in cells and organic forms through the lens of a microscope.

Kayo Saito's contemporary jewellery is influenced by plants and organic forms, whose apparent fragility, structure and vital energy stimulate her creativity. The exhibition includes some of Kayo’s earlier work in polyester fibre together with pieces made in precious metals, the current focus of her practice.

Each of the artists studied in Japan before relocating to the UK to continue their education – Ikuko at Camberwell College of Arts and the Royal College of Art; Junko at Camberwell and Kayo at the Royal College of Art – and each has gone on to receive great acclaim for their highly skilled, intricate and unique work.

This is the first time all three artists have exhibited together in a public gallery. Individually, they regularly exhibit their work in the UK and internationally at prestigious exhibitions and art fairs. Their work is represented in public and private collections around the world.

A Common Ground will open on Saturday 13 December 2014 and run until Saturday 7 March 2015. The exhibition is part of Touchstones Rochdale’s Contemporary Forward programme supported by Arts Council England.