by ANDO Saeko (b.1968)
Heisei period, 2016
Coloured lacquers, metal and shell inlays
40 x 40 x 1.7 cm.
Sealed
“When I first saw a magnified image of a thin section of the Allende meteorite, I was astonished by its similarity with the surface of son mai, transforming the dull stone into a piece of multi-coloured stained glass. Who would expect that from a chunk of grey stone? The meteorite, like the surface of son mai, had become alive when there was light reflected on it. It started sparkling like the wings of a dragonfly and its colour bloomed like the chromatophore of an octopus. So I decided to play with the effect of light and reflection.
I used many different combinations of colours, textures and techniques on each area of this piece, so that it sparkles and fades in a myriad of ways as you observe it from different angles and different distances. After the final sanding and polishing, I added further patterns of dark and rough textures to symbolize the vigorous meteorite.”