Kei Takemura

Kei Takemura (b. 1975, Tokyo), lives and works in Tokyo. Kei Takemura‘s works are characterised by overlapping a layer of embroidered cloth on to a photograph or drawing. For the artist, the act of embroidery creates a state of being “tentative”; it transforms objects and places which no longer exist, and brings fragments of memory towards a tangible existence. In her “renovated xxx”, Takemura repairs broken objects using silk thread, transforming these “wounds” into objects of beauty. The series of works from “renovated xxx” deal with vessels, such as cups, plates, glasses, light-bulbs and teapots, that got broken by accident.

Her focus in 2020 rests on playing cards from different countries and eras, creating works that combine delicate stitching with the cards themselves and photographs of places that are both everyday and personally meaningful.

For ‘Which leaf is falling?’, the artist deftly layers photographs of buildings, trees and forgotten cafes with playing cards that she has collected from across the world. Hearts hover over clubs and soft threaded outlines mimic the shape of chairs, windows or eggs on toast. Having lived and travelled widely overseas, her collection of playing cards include those from Germany, France and America. She stitches over them the designs of cards from other countries and eras in a continued endeavour to tie together different ages and cultures. Takemura notes that playing cards are produced and used all around the world, and can thus be a tool for connecting with people across languages and cultures.

Takemura first exhibited in Australia as part of the 15th Biennale of Sydney in 2006 and has continued to strengthen her international presence through major exhibitions, biennales and workshops. This includes solo shows across Europe and Asia, notably in Berlin, Tokyo, Singapore and Zurich. In 2020, Takemura will be exhibiting at Maitland Regional Art Gallery, the Parkview Museum in Singapore, Ichihara Art x Mix in Japan, and the Yokohama Triennale.

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