Makiko Ryujin — 'Shinki' Sculpture Vessel #221

Makiko Ryujin’s Burning Series are informed by the cultural ceremony of burning traditional sacred ornamental vessels, a ritual she observed as a child. In Japanese the character ‘Shin’ represents God and ‘Ki’ translates as ‘vessel’. The ceremony is rich in symbolism and is undertaken to mark both an end and a beginning; a demarcation of time that allows new plans to be reborn.  

Ryujin carefully turns the wood on a lathe to create high-sided bowls, urns and platters based on the forms of sacred Japanese temple vessels. During the long air drying process, the forms begin to shift as the green wood loses moisture. The final dramatic transformation takes place as the timber chars and splits during the unpredictable burning process.  

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Makiko Ryujin is a Japanese artist based in Naarm/Melbourne. Inspired by her heritage she creates sacred wooden vessels by blending contemporary woodworking techniques with ancient cultural practices. Originally trained in photography, Ryujin's vessels display her talent for creating exquisite forms and compositions and are marked with a deep sense of character and transcendent elegance.

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Material: charred eucalyptus

Dimensions: approx. 50 x 50 x 21cm