Late Summer

About this work

Copper, brass, and silver converge in a compact form that holds the lingering warmth and fading light of late summer. The surface bears colors achieved not through paint but through chemical patination—potassium sulfide and flame oxidation—allowing the metal itself to register subtle shifts in tone. Layers of hammered and chiseled detail, combined with applied silver and copper leaf and a lacquer finish on a paulownia base, give the piece a tactile depth. Rooted in childhood memories of observing nature, the work renders the sensation of a season dissolving into recollection. "Banka" (Late Summer) is a sculpture composed of copper, brass, and silver, combined with silver foil, copper foil, and lacquer, presented on a paulownia wood base. Within its compact dimensions (H260 × W150 × D90 mm), the work captures a fleeting moment at the threshold between summer and autumn. No paint is used anywhere in the piece. All coloration is achieved through chemical reactions in the metal itself—sulfur-based patination for darker tones and controlled heat application for subtle surface variation. Silver and copper foils add layers of reflected light, while lacquer introduces a depth of sheen unattainable with metal alone. The forms are shaped through tankin (raising), with fine details carved using tagane chisels in the chokin tradition. Parts are joined by TIG welding and silver brazing into a hollow structure that belies its visual weight. The paulownia base is not merely functional; it establishes the spatial atmosphere—the sense of air and open space—that is central to Harada's practice. As the artist states: "I aim for expression that comes precisely from limiting my materials. I create not only form but also color through the chemical transformation of metal." In this work, the lingering warmth of summer and the quiet onset of autumn coexist within metal and empty space.