 Yuka SaitoYuka Saito worked as a goldsmith for five years in Osaka, Japan, before coming to the United States to attend FIT in New York. She also studied with conceptual jeweler Ruudt Peters in Holland. Saito likes to think of her work as toys and often uses Japanese phrases and onomatopoeias to name them. "What we have learned or the experiences we have gained by playing with childhood toys turn into great and unforgettable memories. I hope that my jewelry can help all wearers to have a joyful moment that will stay in one's heart forever."
“The theme for my recent work is about looking at inner surfaces by creating objects that draw you to the interior. My work is created through a process that reflects the nature of the materials I use and an inner beauty that is connected to the Japanese culture.
I selected polypropylene as my medium because of its nature; it is translucent, durable and flexible. It is also lightweight, so it can catch the wind. Its characteristics allow the pieces follow the movement of the person wearing it, as everyone has a different way of moving. It has the ability to capture the wearer's personality. Although polypropylene is an artificial material, I manipulate the material in a manner that makes it appear natural. As I work, I go through an experimental process, and knowing the material's potential, I can follow this process freely, which gives me the ability to express myself. It is like I have been allowed to cut a small hole into another world to peek through, and take a glimpse at the beyond.” |