A Portrait of the Artist as a Cultural Interpreter
From the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, Mamada Kei, a visionary sculptor and artist, harnesses a profound connection with the elemental forces of steel and the elusive concept of “Ma” to craft her unique artistic narrative. Born in 1989 in Chiba, Japan, Kei’s journey into the art world was both a predestined path and a deliberate pursuit of aesthetic inquiry. The early stirrings of her artistic ambition were evident when, at just 11 years old, she experienced the seamless unity of heart and mind through her creations, foretelling her lifelong quest for artistic freedom.
Kei’s formal education at Musashino Art University laid a robust foundation in Scenography, Display, and Fashion Design, which was further enriched by her advanced studies in Fine Arts and Sculpture. It was here that she delved deeper into the interplay of time, space, and human interaction, refining her focus on the Japanese aesthetic of ‘Ma’—a theme deeply influenced by her childhood training in Kendo. This philosophical and spatial concept of ‘Ma’, emphasizing the pause or gap between structural parts, continues to permeate her work. Her educational background not only equipped her with the technical skills required to manipulate challenging materials like steel but also deepened her philosophical engagement with her surroundings, setting the stage for her subsequent explorations in solo exhibitions.
kuu
Japanese paper, wood panel
70×110×2.5cm
2022
Crafting the Invisible: The Artistic Journey of Mamada Kei
Mamada Kei’s career trajectory took a definitive turn with her first solo exhibition in 2016 at Gallery HINOKI, marking the beginning of an intense period of productivity and public recognition. Subsequent exhibitions in 2020 and 2022 further showcased her evolving mastery and deepening thematic focus, each piece a testament to her intricate exploration of “Ma”—the space between objects, the silence between sounds, and the moments between actions. Through her sculptures, Kei invites viewers into a meditative dialogue with the void, the unseen, and the unspoken, challenging them to perceive the world beyond the visible and tangible.
Her artistic style, predominantly three-dimensional and heavily reliant on metal, particularly steel, is distinctly reflective of her philosophical inquiries into the nature of existence and perception. Kei’s works are not mere representations but are experiences, embodying her rigorous interrogation of aesthetic truths and the physical properties of her materials. The artist’s commitment to authenticity and depth is evident in her choice of themes, which often invoke deep philosophical questions about the shape of reality and the structure of the natural world, inspired by her childhood musings and disciplined training in Kendo. Through her art, Kei does not simply create objects but crafts experiences that resonate with the core of human introspection, offering a bridge between the tangible and the ethereal.
