In this objet d'art, Tobe ware artist Ohigashi Alyne imaginatively combines natural forms to create a fantastical, elegant botanical sculpture. Inspired by cactus textures, this piece also evokes the silhouettes of a durian and a flower reaching up to the sun. Fascinating in its sense of flow and its tactile feel, it seems to be in a constant state of growth, revealing new details with every viewing. Meticulously crafted by hand out of Tobe porcelain—notoriously difficult to work with for such detailed art pieces—this objet d’art exhibits Ohigashi’s vivid glazing techniques. Multiple layers of glaze display the keen sense of the natural world exhibited in all Ohigashi’s work. Glassy and smooth, the color ripples across the textured surface, inviting appreciation from every angle. Exploring new possibilities in Tobe ware, Ohigashi remains true to the materials of the craft while imbuing it with innovative modes of expression. Drawing on botanical shapes and ocean hues familiar to her from a childhood spent in the Philippines, Ohigashi skillfully unifies lands, cultures, and ways of seeing. The result feels both nostalgic and new, familiar and strange, encouraging 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 refreshing yet grounded 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 that will never fade.
