LASALLE College of the Arts presents a solo exhibition by Kei Takemura. Objects have always occupied a special place for artists, in finding them, recovering them and making them. They accrue and contain value. The Japanese artist Kei Takemura shows us a range of objects she has recovered and renovated, or made or elaborated upon. Originally from Tokyo, she has spent the past 10 years living and working in Berlin. 

This exhibition covers the work of Takemura from 2007 until 2011. It includes work on paper and on canvas, crayon, embroidery and stitching, objects, furniture. This exhibition focuses on her ‘Renovation’ series in which she wraps in silk broken objects. These are to preserve them, to restore them anew, to give them their former dignity and distinction, although their function has been made obsolete. This action of repair refers in part to a tradition in Japan – one she saw her grandmother still do with household dishes and porcelain. But in the light of so many devastating earthquakes in Japan, Takemura has extended its meaning to recover this history of unknown people and their lives, a form of testament to the past made vividly present once again.

Kei Takemura, renovated H.T's mocha cup (2011). Image courtesy of Taka Ishii Gallery.