Connection I

The Intricate Geometry of Nature and Material

Norie Hatakeyama is a Japanese artist whose work exists at the profound intersection of nature, urbanization, and mathematical precision. Her practice is defined by a mesmerizing exploration of structure, where the boundaries between organic growth and geometric form become beautifully blurred. Through her unique approach to sculpture, she invites viewers into a world that feels simultaneously ancient and contemporary, capturing the energy of living organisms within meticulously crafted three-dimensional shapes. Her artistic vision is driven by an impulse to redefine both material and method, seeking to uncover the subtle beauty found in rhythm, texture, and thoughtful repetition.

The essence of Hatakeyama’s work lies in her ability to listen to her materials, allowing shape and gesture to unfold through a process of slow making and material intuition. Her sculptures often possess an ethereal quality, appearing as though they have no apparent starting or endpoints, much like the continuous cycles of regeneration found in the natural world. By embracing the tension between science—such as mathematics and geometry—and art, she creates pieces that reflect the complex structures of the universe itself. In her view, the natural world is a field composed of matter and energy, and her work serves as a meditative reflection on this radiating, unremitting energy.

Materiality and the Art of the Plait

One of the most striking aspects of Hatakeyama’s technique is her innovative use of unconventional, factory-made materials to achieve complex, organic results. She is globally recognized for her contemporary, intricate plaited works that utilize Japanese rice paper and paper-packing tape. This choice of medium allows her to bridge the gap between the industrial and the natural, using a mundane, mass-produced substance like tape to realize sophisticated geometric concerns. Her process involves an intense level of craftsmanship, where the act of plaiting becomes a way to explore the transition from simple matter into complex, sculptural forms.

Her development as an artist was significantly shaped by her early studies in basketmaking. In 1980, she began studying this traditional craft under Hisako Sekijima in Japan. This mentorship was transformative; Sekijima’s nontraditional and open-minded approach to the medium of basketry provided Hatakeyama with the freedom to push beyond expected boundaries. This foundation in traditional techniques, combined with her desire to explore modern materials, has allowed her to create a body of work that is both deeply rooted in Japanese craft heritage and strikingly modern in its execution.

Legacy and Global Recognition

The significance of Norie Hatakeyama’s contribution to contemporary sculpture is reflected in the prestigious collections and exhibition venues that house her work. Her pieces have been featured in diverse international settings, ranging from museum collections in the United States to specialized craft museums in Europe and Japan. Her ability to resonate with audiences across different cultures highlights the universal appeal of her themes regarding structure, nature, and the interconnectedness of all things.

Notable recognitions of her work include:

• Selected Collections: The Museum of Art at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Paintings in Hospitals, Derby City Council, UK.
• Exhibition Venues: Nigata Prefectural Museum of History, Japan; National Vlechtmuseum, Noorwolde, the Netherlands; Crafts Council, London, UK; Senbikiya Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; Space S. Tokyo, Japan; Silk Gallery, Japan Embassy, Seoul, Korea; Racine Art Museum, Wisconsin; and the Flinn Gallery, Connecticut.