The Forger of Iron Spirits / 鉄の精を打つ者

2024年4月15日 09:08

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Bori Kiyonori was born in 1956 and raised in Mizumaki, a district of Kitakyushu, Japan, renowned as one of the largest steel cities in the country.

After graduating from the Faculty of Arts at Kyushu Industrial University in 1981, Bori's childhood fascination with iron led him to develop a unique bond with the city's vast iron mills. He gained access to raw materials and machinery typically off-limits to outsiders, enabling him to embark on crafting large-scale solid iron sculptures.

As a young and up-and-coming artist, Bori made significant strides in the art world. He hosted dozens of solo shows and created numerous public art monuments over the span of a decade. Additionally, he organized industry-wide international symposiums, attracting renowned artists such as Frank Stella, Phillip King, David Mach, and Ushio Shinohara, all of whom visited the city to participate alongside Bori himself.

However, in the fall of 1992, he ceased creating new works.

In 2021, he returned to creation with "TETSU-GU," a monumental iron statue inspired by "DO-GU" clay figurines from ancient Jomon period of Japan. It took thirty years for Bori to rediscover his true artistic path. Embracing the concept of "WABI," or the "Peace of Beauty," and invoking the spirits of iron through sincere prayers, his "Face Period" marks a new phase in his artistic journey. He is now moving forward for an exhibition in NY.

Scroll down to see Public Monuments by BORI.

➡ Discover more about BORI and his recent works showcasing small-scale 'Iron Spirits': Artist report "Fantasy Iron Realm" by MAZKIYO

➡ Production process with industrial machinery: Forging Bori's Way

"TESU-GU" (2023) sits peacefully in a shrine, adorned with a smiling face, while wrath and weeping faces adorn its back. ／神社に鎮座する『鐵偶』（’23）の柔和な笑み面。怒り面と泣き面が背後にある。

公式略歴

1956年、日本最大の鉄鋼都市北九州の水巻町に生まれ育つ。

幼少期から鉄に魅せられた母里は、九州産業大学芸術学部卒業後（81年）、製鉄関連会社との異例の関係を築き上げ、工業機械を制作に用いた大型鉄塊作品を軸に、新進気鋭の鉄彫刻家として精力的に活動を展開。個展開催、公共モニュメント制作はもとより、鉄鋼産業全体を動かしての『国際鉄彫刻シンポジウム』を企画し、二度にわたり開催。世界的に著名なアーティスト（フランク・ステラ、フィリップ・キング、デイヴィッド・マック、篠原有司男うしおら）を招聘し、大々的に競作展示するに至る。

1992年秋、制作を中断。

2021年、縄文土偶にインスパイアされた大型モニュメント『鐵偶てつぐう』をきっかけに、「鉄の精を導き出す（本人談）」制作を開始。30年の空白を経た母里聖徳は、〝和美わび（美なる平和）〟を新たな指針に抱き、〝祈り〟をもってして、〝顔の時代〟を歩みはじめた。ニューヨーク個展に向けて制作を進めている。

➡ アーティスト掘り下げ読み物『火と祈りとファンタジー』 by MAZKIYO

➡ 工業機械を使った制作とは？