Kintsugi Memory Workshop

Portland-based multidisciplinary artist, Mami Takahashi started the “Kintsugi Memory Collage Workshop” in Tokyo. In 2022-2023, this project became a part of her exhibition at the International Museum of Surgical Science Chicago, “Kintsugi: Healing through Japanese Art”. This exhibition draws upon the traditional Japanese art of Kintsugi, or gold repair, which has been practiced to repair ceramics throughout Japanese history. As gold is used to repair broken ceramics, highlighting the break rather than erasing it, this exhibition reflects on how this translates to the human process of overcoming trauma and loss, particularly in our shared moment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extended from the idea of Kintsugi, Takahashi has hosted a series of “Kintsugi Memory Collage” workshops throughout Chicago. Rather than pieces of ceramics, she asks participants to bring in tangible memories of someone or something lost. These objects will then be ‘mended’ using a collage method, among community members who can share the healing process together. Takahashi would like to bring this workshop to Portland, where she resides, to invite the greater Portland community to join her in this process of healing. Participants only need to bring photographs, handwriting, letters, fabrics, or any other flat objects that recall someone special. Please bring photocopied items so as to not alter your original materials.

Throughout this workshop, you will mend these objects with other textiles and gold to create your own “Kintsugi Memory”. With each participant’s permission, she would like to feature each of your works in the upcoming digital exhibition for the greater community to experience. However, you have no obligation to lend us your finished work as this is for you! These workshops are meant as a space to heal and process. We acknowledge the array of experiences each of you may bring and hope to support each other through this artistic practice as a community.

Important Information:

This event will be photographed and attendees will need to sign a photo release. We plan to create a documentary to share as part of the digital exhibition that would feature the work we do together as a community. However, you are under no obligation to be included! If you would like to be left out of photos and or video, please let us know when you register.

This workshop is free of charge, however, it will be appreciated about your donations to cover the art supply cost provided by Mami Takahashi.

You will need: Photocopies of photographs (not the originals!), handwriting, letters, fabrics, or any other flat objects that recall someone special.

We will provide: Japanese papers, thread, gold leaf, glue, scissors, paper board, kimono fabric

Host or Publisher Mami Takahashi