Five Bodhi Leaves

As a commission for the Asian Art Museum, Kay Sekimachi created four of her iconic “leaf bowls” in January 2021, using preserved Bodhi tree and rubber tree leaves gifted by her stepdaughter. In these works, the Berkeley-based, Japanese American artist transforms leaves—which over time have dried into skeletal wisps— into fragile vessels that bloom outward like flowers. The leaves radiate from a paper base, which acts as a structural support.

The series demonstrates the innovative way that Sekimachi incorporates unconventional materials into her practice, as well as her long-standing interest in the simplicity of natural forms. Although best known as a master fiber artist who constructs three-dimensional hanging sculptures, Sekimachi also fashions baskets and bowls that serve as conceptual extensions of her weaving practice. The preserved leaf skeletons take on a lace-like quality, made up of an intricate web of countless delicate strands, recalling how threads are woven together on a loom.