From 3 – 31 August only at Brisbane Quarter, view the nature-inspired installation The Love of Life, by three talented local Brisbane artists, Mabina Alaka, Ken Kikkawa & Hiroaki Eba, inspired by QAGOMA’s exhibition ‘Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles’. Explore the artists’ unique live floral, clay & fabric creations that appreciate the beauty of nature and utilise traditional Japanese techniques.
Add to the experience by heading upstairs to dine at one of Brisbane Quarter’s restaurants including Tenya Japanese Restaurant where you can try the limited edition ‘The Love of Life’ cocktail, available for the month of August.
The Love of Life | 3 – 31 August 2022
Free Entry | Open Monday to Sunday, from 7am to 8pm.
Located at Podium Level 1, Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, Brisbane City
“The Love of Life”by artists Mabina Alaka, Ken Kikkawa and Hiroaki Ebainspired by QAGOMA’s exhibition ‘Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles’3-31 August 2022 Brisbane Quarter, 300 George Street, Brisbane CityArtist Statement:Forest / TreesHiroaki Eba, Ken Kikkawa, Mabina Alaka*Pussy willow*Gum tree branch*Crazy Filberts (Corkscrew Hazel)*Winged Euonymus*Pine Tree*String
Mabina Alaka“Using the traditional Japanese materials and techniques, I have created a ‘little world’ inside of each tree. These are my ideas for my love for nature.”*Vintage Kimono fabric*Japanese cotton*Washi – Japanese traditional paper*Flower wires*Abaca fibre
Ken Kikkawa“Wish Tree”Respect and protect nature. The Wish Tree has been inspired by the Japanese star festival ‘Tanabata’. Each small piece of ceramic plate (called ‘Tanzaku’) has Japanese traditional designs, which are derived from various natural items.
*White fine clay with slab technique and applied Gosu pigment (Japanese blue). Fired 1000c.
“Octopus Tree”Inspired by Japanese animation, each octopus character represents various feelings in life – joy, happiness, sadness, agony and anger.
*White fine clay with wheel-throwing and hand-build techniques and applied under glaze colours.
“Green Dragon Tree”The ‘Green Dragon’ is worshipped by a community as their God who protects them from natural disasters. Traditionally, Japanese people believe in Gods (‘Kami’), which exist in nature – they are regarded as sacred spirits, which take the form of natural things and are important concepts to life such as wind, sea, mountains, trees, and some animals even including imaginary dragons!*Coarse brown clay with wheel-throwing and hand-build techniques and applied natural glaze by wood firing.
Hiroaki Eba
“Orchid Tree”*Phalaenopsis Orchid*Sphagnum Moss*String*Tropical leaves*Palm Bark
“Australian Natives and Friends Tree”*Banksia*Gum nuts*Earthenware Ceramics-Hand coloured*Air plants*Succulents*Palm Bark
“Singing in the Rain Tree”*Beads*Rainforest Frogs-Modeling ClayABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Mabina Alaka
Born in Kobe, Japan and now calling Brisbane her home, Alaka’s artistic talent, passion and unique skills come from her Japanese heritage. Using the finest materials such as vintage Kimono fabrics, Japanese cotton and traditional Japanese paper, she is inspired by the purity and beauty of her heritage to bring this installation to life, creating a “little world inside of each tree”.
Ken Kikkawa
Ken Kikkawa is a Brisbane based ceramic artist originally from Tokyo, Japan. Having spent his life in Japan and Australia almost on equal terms, his life and travels between these two cultures have allowed him to create ceramic art works that achieve a unique balance between artistic and functional models and Australia’s natural beauties and the aesthetic traditions of Japan. In The Love of Life, Kikkawa has created a “Wish Tree” inspired by the Japanese star festival ‘Tanabata’, an “Octopus Tree” inspired by Japanese animation with each octopus representing a different emotion and a “Green Dragon Tree” an ode to the Japanese god who protects a community from natural disasters.
Hiroaki Eba
With over 44 years of experience in Tokyo, Kyoto, Mito and Brisbane, Hiroaki Eba creates floral designs and art pieces that appreciate the beauty of nature with natural organic elements. Through his journey throughout his life, he continues to see the true aesthetic of nature. In this installation, Eba has constructed three trees from organic materials – “Orchid Tree” featuring Phalaenopsis Orchid and Sphagnum Moss, “Australian Natives and Friends” featuring Banksia, Gum Nuts and Earthenware ceramics and “Singing in the Rain” featuring Beads and Clay Rainforest Frogs.