Tell us about yourself.
My name is Junichiro Baba. I am a studio artist and an instructor teaching hot and warm glass at Joshibi university in Japan. I came from sculpture background, and found out glass is the essential material for my creative activities through my thesis project at Rochester Institute of Technology. Since then, my art works have always been influenced by the essence of glass learning through experimental tests, teaching, and residencies, such as Penland artist in residence program and CGCA artists’ fellowship.
What draws you to the material you work with?
What inspires me the most about glass is the quality of honest aspect under the high heat environment. The pure spirits of natural forces of glass are the perfect materials for me to express unconsciousness throughout the casting and blowing glass processes.
What themes do you pursue in your work, and why have you chosen the processes that you use in your work?
As is true of many artists, my creative activities are strongly influenced by the environment in which I grew up. There, all existing space is geometrically divided by man-made structures. These creations powerfully separate nature from society which forces nature to the perimeter of our experience. Nature is denied a focal place in our contemporary lives. Nonetheless, the evidence of nature in such artificial environs prevails. The manifestations of this fragile but powerful spirit of nature that moves through my environment remains the strongest among all of my memories.
What is your dream project?
My work is like a single dot on a plain canvas. If people feel purity, then it works. I hope I would be an artist and educator who passes the essence of the beauty to the society through my works and class rooms.
Why are you a member of GAS?
I am very interested in sharing both technical and conceptual ideas with the people around the world through such a beautiful material. GAS is the perfect community for me to make it happen.