11 Questions with Ryoji Morimoto

Ryoji Morimoto is a mixed-media artist who was born in Kochi, a rural area of Japan. His simple upbringing infused his childhood with the legacy and lifestyle of coexistence with nature. In his early adulthood, he moved to Tokyo to find his passion. He was captivated by the dynamic environment with its vibrant sub-culture, advanced technology, and diverse people and ideas. The contrasting lifestyles persuaded him to discover the world, and so he left his home country to live in Bath in the UK. Ryoji earned a Bachelor’s degree in textile design at Bath Spa University. Through his schooling, voluntary work, socializing, and trips, he was exposed to new cultural and societal influences. These influences juxtaposed all of those he grew up with, adding a distinct depth to his artistic voice. After graduating in 2019, he was selected to take part in the In:Site festival in Birmingham. The festival’s atmosphere encouraged him to create artwork whilst considering the history and characteristics of a specific place. Now residing in Japan, Ryoji regularly interacts with the community by hosting art workshops for children. He uses his experiences to explore human attitudes towards complex issues of society, legacy, and the environment.

ryojimorimoto.myportfolio.com | @ryoji.textile

ARTIST STATEMENT

My works are based on the relationship between something disappearing, changing, and arising with the flow of time and the human being.

I often get inspiration from simple daily life elements, such as the natural world, and visualize the relationship between their background and human beings. I conduct thorough research to explore everything that intertwines with and influences my ideas. Using these methods, I create my own story that embraces both real and abstract elements. When expressing the story, I carefully choose materials that are emotive of the issues within it and rely on my intuition to tell me where it begins and ends. Through my artwork, I communicate with others, and then through the communication, I dissect the new relationship between humans and society. I am currently exploring the intertwining nature of legacy and traditional ideas with the modern age.

INTERVIEW

Please describe the intention behind your art. How do you successfully express this intention?

I try to explore the things that are around me through my artwork. I make a story from the question I developed from my interest, its background, and anything else related. I create artwork based on the story to communicate with others in order to get a response from them on their thoughts about it. I develop the theme deeper and deeper through the process. For this reason, my starting point is always familiar and thus easily approachable for others. I just add various elements, such as the changing relationship between the thing and humans with time.

Can you talk a little about your formative years as an artist?

When I started my art career, I wanted to create artwork, but I was unsure of what I needed to do because I haven't had an art education. I have seen, read, and experienced a whole variety of things; however, these experiences weren't just about art. Therefore, I have created many workpieces, not all of which I would consider being art. Also, I have met many people, not only artists, and talked about all kinds of things. The process has helped me discover more about myself, why I do art, what makes me who I am, and formed me as an artist.

What experience of your life is reflected in your works of art?

I think everything I have experienced is reflected in my artwork. But in particular, my grandparents' experience when I was young formed my ideas for art practice. They told me many stories from their life that I have hardly experienced in modern life, such as war, coexistence with nature, and self-sufficiency. I got interested in how these things disappear, change, and arise with the flow of time. After that, I started considering these things and what lies behind them, especially when I meet new people, cultures, and things.

Could you tell our readers about your creative process?

My creative process entails thorough research about my idea and all things related to it. Then I line up all these aspects at the same time and merge them to outline. After that, I alternate between creating work and relaxing. Through this process, the idea I composed changes slightly, and sometimes other elements are added. Creating the actual artwork gave me new ideas I couldn't have realized through researching and composing ideas alone. Also, the periods of relaxation give me time to flesh out and sculpt my ideas.

How do you present your textile projects in an exhibition space?

I focus on showing the texture to the audience. Usually, I try to put my artwork as close to the observer as possible. Sometimes I have exhibited my work with the expectation for it to be touched. I want the audience to feel my artwork in various ways. Doing so, they might find a new way to see my work or new values for it, which I could not find. This helps me to develop my ideas and perspective more.

How do you keep yourself up to date with the latest trends and technologies that have today a significant impact on artistic productions?

I read the news and articles about the latest trends and technologies or see artworks that have used them. Sometimes I use the technologies and trends to experiment and create samples. Therefore I consider them as options to use my work. On the other hand, I think the appearance of new trends and technologies sometimes give a different value to previous trends and technologies. I try to find out these values and use them.

Any favorite genre of music to listen to while working?

I listen to all kinds of music when I create something. However, I don't listen to any music whilst I am researching and composing ideas. When I create something in my mind, I would like to focus on natural sounds.

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations?

I am working on a new artwork based on Beppu city, Japan, where I am currently living. I am going to exhibit the work somewhere in Beppu this year. The work will consist of a combination of the hot spring culture in Beppu and various modern elements.

Ryoji, Share something you would like the world to know about you?

I am an artist who tries to show other perspectives and portrays different values. When people see something, they tend to perceive it in one way; however, when they can see it differently, they might find it has a new value or think about it may change. If so, they might see the world differently and expand their horizons. To me, art is a tool to let people communicate different ideas or values, and it is one way to express to the world how I, as an artist, see the world.

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