Tenyoh - Artaxis.org

ACCOMPANYING TEXT: In a nursing home where I worked, residents had half an hour to eat a meal. Walter was one of a few who needed to be syringe-fed. One day, his wife visited, and we set his tray in a corner away from the busy cafeteria. When she requested a spoon, I asked, “Does Walter open his mouth?” She answered, “Yes, you may have to wait a little, but he does.” The lunch ended, and other residents were back in bed for a nap. Walter’s wife was still spoon-feeding him, restoring some dignity to the life of this old rancher.

Tenyoh - "UNFAILING LOVE"
2022, 17.5x17x18", Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic
ACCOMPANYING TEXT: In a nursing home where I worked, residents had half an hour to eat a meal. Walter was one of a few who needed to be syringe-fed. One day, his wife visited, and we set his tray in a corner away from the busy cafeteria. When she requested a spoon, I asked, “Does Walter open his mouth?” She answered, “Yes, you may have to wait a little, but he does.” The lunch ended, and other residents were back in bed for a nap. Walter’s wife was still spoon-feeding him, restoring some dignity to the life of this old rancher.

ACCOMPANYING TEXT: Every one of us is on a boat of life. At some point, we all have to stop rowing, letting the current take us. The uncertainty is sometimes terrifying. It is especially so for those who have been recently diagnosed with dementia. Handwritten questions from a person with memory loss to her doctor are inscribed in her own words on this canoe. Some of them are: · “Talk to me about how I go away? How fast” · “Ulshemers??” · “Will I get dificult? I do not want to be nasty to my family.” · “Know my family – how does that go away – do I not know them?” · “Can I ask to be uthinized?” The blanket behind her holds the words “family,” “ friends,” “smile,” “reaching out,” and “compassion.” They will be her warmth no matter how far she drifts.

Tenyoh - ""TALK TO ME ABOUT HOW I GO AWAY""
2022, 8.5x25x8, Acrylic Sheet Base: 2x28x16", Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide
ACCOMPANYING TEXT: Every one of us is on a boat of life. At some point, we all have to stop rowing, letting the current take us. The uncertainty is sometimes terrifying. It is especially so for those who have been recently diagnosed with dementia. Handwritten questions from a person with memory loss to her doctor are inscribed in her own words on this canoe. Some of them are: · “Talk to me about how I go away? How fast” · “Ulshemers??” · “Will I get dificult? I do not want to be nasty to my family.” · “Know my family – how does that go away – do I not know them?” · “Can I ask to be uthinized?” The blanket behind her holds the words “family,” “ friends,” “smile,” “reaching out,” and “compassion.” They will be her warmth no matter how far she drifts.

Tenyoh - "REACHING FOR MEMORY"
2022, 10x17x15.5", Acrylic Sheet Base: 2x24x20", Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide

Tenyoh - "WARMTH OF MEMORY"
2022, 15.5x9.5x9.5, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide

The bisqueware was placed into a saggar with sawdust and fired to ∆2 in an electric kiln. I have been experimenting with this firing technique using small figurines. This is the first time I tried it with a larger sculpture.

Tenyoh - "HER CORE REMAINS"
2021, 19.5x8.5x6.5, This piece is wall-hung, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Pit / Saggar fired, Reduction, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide
The bisqueware was placed into a saggar with sawdust and fired to ∆2 in an electric kiln. I have been experimenting with this firing technique using small figurines. This is the first time I tried it with a larger sculpture.

ACCOMPANYING TEXT: A Sandhill Crane’s fossil discovered along the Platte River in Nebraska was dated to 10 million years. Have their species been migrating that long? Have their rituals which are being performed right before my eyes, been formed over such a long time span? I felt as if time were stretching from the prehistoric to the present and beyond. Sitting in the water from which all life originated, she is contemplating moments that have passed on this earth from its beginnings. She is vulnerable, but calm, being alone and insignificant in the eternal grandeur of nature.

Tenyoh - "HONORING MIGRATIONS"
2021, 16x17x11.5, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide
ACCOMPANYING TEXT: A Sandhill Crane’s fossil discovered along the Platte River in Nebraska was dated to 10 million years. Have their species been migrating that long? Have their rituals which are being performed right before my eyes, been formed over such a long time span? I felt as if time were stretching from the prehistoric to the present and beyond. Sitting in the water from which all life originated, she is contemplating moments that have passed on this earth from its beginnings. She is vulnerable, but calm, being alone and insignificant in the eternal grandeur of nature.

ACCOMPANYING TEXT: His woman could no longer wait and she left. His business, into which he had poured everything, collapsed. Every nerve of his existence was suddenly thrown into the darkest void, from which he felt no way of getting out. A call from his concerned sister was the first light into the darkness. He gradually became aware of what he still possessed: his diligence, honesty, humor, and support from the family. None of these were tangible, but they had been his foundation. A hard, lonely road lay ahead, but he realized he would be okay.

Tenyoh - "HIS SUN IS RISING AGAIN"
2021, 18x12x14, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide
ACCOMPANYING TEXT: His woman could no longer wait and she left. His business, into which he had poured everything, collapsed. Every nerve of his existence was suddenly thrown into the darkest void, from which he felt no way of getting out. A call from his concerned sister was the first light into the darkness. He gradually became aware of what he still possessed: his diligence, honesty, humor, and support from the family. None of these were tangible, but they had been his foundation. A hard, lonely road lay ahead, but he realized he would be okay.

ACCOMPANYING TEXT: I have witnessed this woman’s expression of contentment in hospice patients. Approaching the end of life, humans learn to accept the way we are. Could we reach this state when we are still full of life, even if we are conscious of the unacceptable in ourselves? My answer is yes.

Tenyoh - "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"
2021, 19x5.5x4.5", Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide
ACCOMPANYING TEXT: I have witnessed this woman’s expression of contentment in hospice patients. Approaching the end of life, humans learn to accept the way we are. Could we reach this state when we are still full of life, even if we are conscious of the unacceptable in ourselves? My answer is yes.

Tenyoh - "LITTLE BUDDHA OF GOOD THOUGHT"
2021, 11.5x10x8", Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide

Tenyoh - "LITTLE BUDDHA: GRIEF"
2021, 16x5x4", Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Mid-range, Oxidation, Surface: Non-ceramic, Oxide

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Artist Statement

It is difficult to illustrate human complexities artistically. However, I believe the messages that my art conveys are indispensable to society. Our humanity cannot grow without opportunities to reflect upon ourselves. Art is my vehicle to communicate that.

My former occupation as an international health-care worker provided me with opportunities to associate with people with diverse backgrounds. The hands-on experience taught me that emotional commonalities were more striking than our differences. I believe this is true between individuals, across different cultures, and throughout human history. Therefore, my art does not represent any particular group of people. It depicts human nature collectively, capturing both strength and weakness that may co-exist in the same heart. Even though my choice of art media has shifted from oil painting to ceramic sculpting, the central theme has remained unchanged.

The first five images in this submission are from the latest joint exhibit TAKE ME TO YOUR MOON: JOURNEYS INTO THE WORLD OF DEMENTIA. The next three were created last year, capturing moments that can happen to anyone regardless of culture or socioeconomic status. The last two are from my Little Buddha series. They are more marketable than my serious work. Saggar-fired figurines like the one photographed with me in the profile are designed to sell in gift or online shops.

Texts accompany some of my sculptures in order to make the viewing more meaningful. The following writing goes with the first image UNFAILING LOVE.

In a nursing home where I worked, residents had half an hour to eat a meal. Walter was one of a few who needed to be syringe-fed. One day, his wife visited, and we set his tray in a corner away from the busy cafeteria. When she requested a spoon, I asked, “Does Walter open his mouth?” She answered, “Yes, you may have to wait a little, but he does.”

The lunch ended, and other residents were back in bed for a nap. Walter’s wife was still spoon-feeding him, restoring some dignity to the life of this old rancher.

Bio

In Japan, where I was born, I studied sumi-e (brush and ink) technique. In the USA I turned my attention to oils. Since 2012, I have been pursuing a full-time career as a self-taught ceramic sculptor. After having been juried into nationally recognized sculpture shows, I now seek solo or joint exhibits regionally. In addition, I teach clay hand-building (from intro to sculpting) to adults and teens in schools and non-profit organizations. My recently discovered passion is to share my love of clay work with the blind and visually-impaired or with adults with all intellectual abilities.