SELECTED PROJECTS
CARDBOARD CITY
A sculptural installation created completely (almost!) out of cardboard exhibited at Bay Area Discovery Museum in 2023.
It was a project to inspire children and their parents that cardboard is so versatile and available to anyone with an infinite possibility for creation. To showcase that, we worked to make sure that this train factory themed installation was mostly built with cardboard other than necessary structural parts. We also focused on repurposing cardboard boxes from shipping with help from the museum shop and local retailers to encourage visitors that fancy materials and tools are not requires to create something imaginative.
FEATHERED
In this series, I explore the possibilities of transforming found packing paper into sculptural illustration of birds in their natural habitat.
Around the time the pandemic shelter-in-place began, I heard chirping inside our old pear tree. It was an oak titmouse couple and their chicks started their lives in the tiny hole created by probably a woodpecker the previous year. It was such a solid piece of joy and happiness in a time of uncertainties. I followed their progress daily and they gave me the motivation to start this project.
The paper which wraps our online orders is known as kraft paper. It gets crinkled into a box in shipment, that texture is like wood grain to me. Like wood, with a touch of hand you can bring out its character. I found joy in manipulating that essence with basic methods like folding, cutting and tearing.
With this ordinary material and simple technique, I hope to grasp the joyous moment in their quiet life.
One of the works from this series was exhibited at Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek for “Bird, Nest, Nature” in 2020.
Nestled
Project "Nestled" is a series of paintings that emerged during the COVID-19 period, inspired by a tufted titmouse couple nesting in an old pear tree. Sheltered in the bustling leaves and textured trunk, Asaki envisioned new life flourishing in uncertain times. In "Nestled," layers of color and geometric shapes interplay, inviting viewers to uncover hidden depths. Nature and music serve as primary inspirations, echoing life's rhythms and vibrant hues. Through this painting series, Asaki aims to reveal the creatures concealed `within their environments
Some of the original paintings available for purchase. See my shop for details or Inquire for more info.
ANIMALS FOR ANTHROPOLOGIE
One of my favorite projects that I take on through out the year is prototyping for Anthropologie. I love being a part of realizing their ideas for new seasonal windows/ in-store displays come to life.
I especially enjoy prototyping animals. Here are some of the animals I prototyped including the topiary peacock which is featured in “the art of Anthropologie” book published in 2022.
I also had a pleasure of making dogs (and a cat!) for their 30th anniversary pop up exhibition held in New York City in 2022.
