Nobuko Tsuruta

Lives and works in New York, NY, USA

Artist statement

At the heart of my practice is the philosophy of SAORI, a Japanese approach to free-form weaving that embraces imperfection, honors individuality, and accepts things as they are. This ethos has shaped not only my artistic process but also my way of life. My signature method—loosening warp tension to the maximum and weaving with my fingers instead of a shuttle—embodies that philosophy. Touching fibers directly allows me to sense their inner energy intuitively. Whether derived from plants, animals, or synthetic sources, fibers carry a unique vitality. I regard them as gifts of nature, craftsmanship, and human ingenuity. Engaging with them is also a way of facing myself. For me, weaving becomes meditation. I never plan the final image. Each piece begins through improvisation, like a jazz session, often leading me beyond what I imagined. These moments of surprise are among my greatest joys. In recent years, my practice has expanded from weaving into sculpture, installation, costume, performance, and moving image. The body has become increasingly important—not only as something that wears or activates my work, but as a site of transformation, memory, and impermanence. I experiment with materials such as hand-pulled silk floss transformed into paper-like sheets, while continuing to research traditional Japanese dyeing techniques including indigo, mud, and persimmon tannin. Across these forms, I am interested in how materials, bodies, and spaces continually change, and how...

Artwork