In this objet d’art, Alyne Ohigashi imaginatively draws inspiration from the textures of a sea urchin and her knowledge of botanical and marine life to create a fantastical porcelain sculpture. As many as five layers of glazes in blue, green, turquoise, navy, and purple flow and meld together, evoking a tide pool or a warm tropical sea. Touches of gold recall the sun shining on the waves. Larger ridges are hand-formed while each small bump is made of individually pipetted water glass, giving the piece an organic rhythm. Wonderfully tactile, it offers new ways of experiencing form and color, revealing more of its secrets with every viewing. Exploring new possibilities in Tobe ware, Ohigashi remains true to the materials of the craft while adding her own innovations. Each of her sculptures is crafted from Tobe porcelain—a challenge to work with for such detailed pieces. Drawing on marine shapes and hues familiar to her from a childhood spent in the Philippines, Ohigashi skillfully unifies her two homelands. The final 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 living creature, this piece encourages an emotional bond with its caretaker. Each element reflects both the symmetry and variation of the natural world. Not only beautiful but a delight to touch, this work brings a refreshing yet grounded presence to a foyer, centerpiece, or desk, inviting in turns lively conversation and quiet reflection. It is a playful symphony of imagination, a rhythmic ode to the sea.
