Michiko Sugiura

• Dolls
• 1954 -

The method that I use is called mokushin toso washibari, which is forming the piece over a wooden core with toso (mixture of sawdust of paulownia wood and wheat starch) , applying gofun (whitewash), covering with Japanese traditional paper and coloring.
Basically, I make dolls, but I exaggerate or simplify the form so that the people who see my work can relate to it more.
I also try to make the dolls to match the modern living space. In modern life, we are unable to understand people's feelings, or their state of mind right away just from how they look. I try to simplify the appearance as much as I can so that they can be easily understood.
There are various kinds of Japanese traditional paper, but I sometimes dye my own paper or arrange the paper to change the texture. I also use other various material such as fabric, metallic foil, whitewash, mineral pigments, etc. on making my art work.