Oki Junko (b. 1963) has the ability to rejuvenate and incorporate the old and the new through techniques, fabrics, lens, stories and unconventional approaches. She uses previously used special garments, Japanese vernacular fabrics, individually selected or gifted threads to intricately and densely stitch and embroider. The results are vibrant sculptural paintings or objects. Various types of boxes or frames are used as support to frame her work or are an integral part of it. Some are specially shaped; others are organic, the shape is determined by the stitching or are flowing / floating within their frame. A secret message, known to the artist or person who gifted the thread or gown remains silent. Poetry accompanies Oki’s practice and is noticeable in the delicacy of her œuvre and might be alluded to in her stitching.

Combining traditional or self-created stitches, occasional small objects, patterns, on the underlying fabric develop and add shapes, depth and color combinations to the material. Just as special threads are selected, so are the (often) cotton fabrics, either for their qualities, histories, trajectories. As our eyes wonder over the work details and color hues appear. Traditionally embroidery followed fixed patterns and was used for specified purposes. Deviation of any kind was unacceptable. Oki has adapted this methodical technique to suit her needs, visions, tempo and made it come alive for us, stitch by stitch. She has personalized it and created a new abstract language that encompasses and expresses emotions, personalities and various levels of intensities.

The variety of her palette and object types was apparent in her 2022 museum exhibition The Exposed at Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura Annex, that included very early and contemporary works including a few on both the inside and outside of designer jackets. For Here and There and Back Again, Japanese Art 1964 – 2024, two works in her signature colors, red, You have to go beyond extreme solitude 02, 2009, and white, Melody, 2016, have been selected. They express her complete understanding and use of assemblage, history, trajectory and sensibility.

Oki’s work is included in the recently opened exhibition Collection Exhibition 1 It knows: When Forms Become Mind at the 21st Century Museum of Art, Kanazawa, JP, and she has been selected to participate in the upcoming Aichi Triennale 2025, “A Time Between Ashes and Roses” whose Artistic Director is Hoor Al Qasimi.

Anne Mosseri-Marlio