Fukushima Koi

Fukushima Koi – Artist Statement

Fukushima Koi is a sculpture born from chance and place. While fishing in Fukushima Prefecture, I came across abandoned metal, remnants of a past life left to rust and decay. Drawn to the history embedded in these materials, I collected them, seeing not ruin, but potential. From these fragments, I forged the shape of a koi carp—an enduring symbol of strength in Japanese culture, deeply rooted in the traditional tattoo art of irezumi.

The koi’s form, shaped by fire and force, reflects both resilience and transformation. In irezumi, the koi swims upstream, representing perseverance in the face of hardship. In Fukushima Koi, this idea takes on new weight, as the sculpture itself is built from material tied to a landscape marked by struggle and recovery. The scars and textures of the metal remain visible, honoring its past while giving it a new presence.

This piece is not just about the koi; it is about endurance—of nature, of place, and of material. Through Burnin and Lootin, I do not seek to erase history, but to rework it, turning what was left behind into something that speaks of strength, survival, and renewal.