Saori Sekine

Since 2011, Saori Sekine has been working as a glass craft artist using sandblasting techniques, having established a studio in Itabashi, Tokyo. Utilizing her over 20 years of experience, she creates delicate works using advanced techniques such as stepped carving and shading. She is well-known for creating works with a narrative that make the most of the texture of glass, and continues to create works that give shape to his customers' ideas while expanding the scope of her techniques to include blown glass and stained glass.

Map of Japan with Tokyo Prefecture highlighted.

Thoughts

I cherish 'healing', 'gentleness', and the 'beauty of nature', and through glass, I hope to share moments that bring peace to the heart. Inspired by the traditional Japanese aesthetic of 'Kachō Fūgetsu' — the harmony of flowers, birds, wind, and moon — I aim to create works that express a sense of transparency and gradation of light, inviting the viewer to feel a story within each piece. Each design incorporates asymmetrical, organic lines to convey a 'living beauty' rather than something artificial. I hope that when someone holds my work, it evokes memories of their hometown's nature or the changing seasons of Japan.

The Challenges

Glass is an exceptionally delicate material—its impression can change completely with the slightest variation in thickness or color tone. Through countless failures, I have come to realize that true artistry lies not in seeking perfection, but in embracing the natural fluctuations that arise in the process, and in treasuring the individuality of each creation rather than pursuing mass production.

Aspirations

Through my work, I wish to share the spirit of Japan's natural beauty and its four seasons with people around the world. By respecting and celebrating each culture, I hope my creations can bring moments of calm and quiet joy to everyday life—and I will continue to face the glass with that intention in my heart.

Sandblasting Glass

Sandblasting is a technique that uses compressed air to forcefully blow sand onto glass, scraping away the surface and creating patterns. The glass surface is frosted by the fine sand particles. The desired pattern or motif is created by masking the glass to create areas where the sand will be applied (scraped) and areas where it will not be applied (remained).

Commitment to Carving Technique

With standard sandblasting, the sand is applied in a single pass. Our design is characterized by leaving gaps between motifs. The technique I use in our studio (step carving) involves applying sand for each overlap. For example, to carve a five-petal cherry blossom,

one petal is applied,

then one is removed,

then another is applied,

then the next petal is removed...

and the process is repeated.

In addition, by incorporating a technique that creates a soft gradation when applying sand, the finished product has a more textured finish.

Glass Material

Colored glass is made using a special glass material. Colored glass is not made with paint or glaze, but rather with 'glass covering,' which is made from two layers of glass. The two layers use different colors for the outer and inner glass, and the inner color appears when the surface is scraped away. Red is 'copper' and pink is 'gold'. The glass colors are created through a chemical reaction, and are the color of the 'glass itself'. You can rest assured that the colors will never fade and will never fade. This is the material used for 'Kiriko'. Our studio produces glass crafts by ordering directly from kilns.

Biography

2005

Began creating glass decorations using sandblasting techniques

2011

Established a studio in Itabashi, Tokyo, and began full-scale creative activities focusing on sandblasted glass.
While centering on sculptural expression through sandblasting, she has deepened the breadth and depth of her glass expression by also learning techniques such as blown glass and stained glass.
Currently, she is active mainly through exhibitions at department stores and various events, presentations at group exhibitions, and sales both domestically and internationally via the internet.
Graduated from Sophia University. From childhood, she grew up familiar with Japanese philosophy and art, including Buddhism and Shinto. This forms the foundation of the 'healing,' 'natural beauty,' and 'narrative quality' found in her current works.