DIVERSE WORKS. Meticulously detailed jewelry (left photo) by Kristin Mitsu Shiga is an interesting blend of materials and amorphous shapes, deepening jewelry-making into visual storytelling. Japan-born Junko Iijima’s "Mouse" series (right photo) juxtaposes traditional Japanese nanbu cast-iron works with pop culture, forming an oddly familiar and playful commentary on cultural identity. (Photos courtesy of the Guestroom Gallery)

From The Asian Reporter, V17, #49 (December 4, 2007), page 15.

By Toni Tabora-Roberts

The Guestroom Gallery’s beautiful, historic building is on a quiet block on North Vancouver Avenue, a far cry from the shiny Pearl District. As I entered, it was clear this wasn’t one of those minimalist-five-paintings-on-stark-walls gallery shows. The small, cozy space was chock-full of all kinds of work from ceramics to painting to mosaic to sculpture.

Indeed, "Craft: Diverse Works" certainly lives up the name. Curator Evelyn Diamond notes that the show "gives special attention to the verb ‘craft.’ The clay, glass, silver, gold, wool, linen, old plates, broken plates, and steel in this show are manipulated with meticulous care by artists who know their stuff." The exhibit features 18 artists working a wide range of materials, including Asian artists Junko Iijima and Kristin Mitsu Shiga.

Junko Iijima grew up in Japan and has studied and lived in the U.S. for the past decade. On view is her "Mouse" series, which includes several cast-iron sculptures and a group of ink drawings. Her work has a distinct Japanese sensibility in both the form and the content. The sculptures and drawings are inspired by Japanese nanbu ironware patterns. The shapes are oddly familiar, like that of traditional iron teakettles, as well as a minimal interpretation of a cutesy pop culture mouse. I found this juxtaposition brings a playfulness not often associated with the stoic functionality of the iron teakettle. I appreciate that Junko is "attracted to objects that retain their cultural identities, obvious stereotypes," as it provides interesting commentary on the state of globalization and consumer culture.

Kristin Mitsu Shiga’s work is handcrafted, sculptural jewelry. Her pieces are meticulous and explore shape, space and material. I found "Revolution Neckpiece" (pictured) to be particularly lovely with it’s repeating patterns of linked closed and open circles. I imagine a modern-day warrior queen wearing it, as it is somehow delicate, yet powerful and grand. Other pieces contrast materials such as wool, felt, and rusted metals. Here she presents another polarity — amorphous, yet sleek shapes blurred with rusty stains. The effect is rather compelling, giving it an aged organic feel despite the stark form. These works are a departure from some of her other work, which is even more intricate and wide-ranging in materials and sculptural quality. The pieces, however, well represent Kristin’s vocabulary and attention to detail.

Both Junko and Kristin’s thoughtful works are highlights in the "Craft: Diverse Works" show. Their pieces bring a nice, understated voice in a gallery full of heavily representative work. Other outstanding works include Mary Topanga’s wonderfully colorful mosaic portraits, Mark Diamond’s lustrous Mokume rings, and an incredible art book/sculpture by Robin and John Gumaelius. Evelyn Diamond does a fine job curating the show and has included some talented artists. It’s worth a trip to the North Portland gallery.

"Craft: Diverse Works" is on display through December 29 at the Guestroom Gallery, located at 4114 N. Vancouver Avenue in Portland. Gallery hours are noon to 5:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call (503) 284-8378 or visit <www.guestroomgallery.com>.