Botanical Textures Objet d’Art 28

A mysterious plant that lives forever. In this objet dart, Alyne Ohigashi imaginatively draws on her knowledge of plant biology to create a fantastical botanical sculpture. Making the invisible visible, its texture is inspired by a tropical fruit exposing its seeds and by chlorophyll, but it might also be likened to a cactus or parts of a flower. This intriguing ambiguity rewards repeated viewing.

It is sculpted out of Tobe porcelain, a difficult medium for such a detailed art piece. Each bump and ridge is individually crafted and applied by hand, giving the piece an organic rhythm and creating a unique interplay of light and shadow. Multiple layers of glaze gather, glassy and luminous, in the dips in the clay. Wonderfully tactile, it offers new ways of experiencing form and structure.

Exploring new possibilities in Tobe ware, Ohigashi remains true to the materials of the craft while adding her own innovations. Drawing on botanical shapes and ocean hues familiar to her from a childhood spent in the Philippines, Ohigashi skillfully unifies her two homelands. The result feels both nostalgic and new, familiar and strange, an intriguing ambiguity that encourages the viewer to create their own meaning.

Just like a real plant, this piece encourages an emotional bond with its caretaker. Every single ridge and curve is unique, reflecting both the symmetry and variation alive in the natural world. Not only beautiful but a delight to touch, this work brings a lively presence to a foyer, centerpiece, or desk, inviting in turns conversation and quiet reflection. It is a playful symphony of imagination, a rhythmic ode to nature.