Maki Teshima, submitted artwork
Maki Teshima
Installation
Denver, Colorado, USA
Maki Teshima is a botanical dye textile artist from Japan, now based in Denver, Colorado. She explores the beauty of natural colors through her art works and workshops, inspiring communities to connect with nature. She has shared her expertise through lectures and workshops in diverse settings from offices, flower shops, compost sites, schools, and nonprofit organizations to established museums, spreading the world of natural colors. With a background in textile surface design in Osaka and New York City, Maki has worked on everything from socks and baby onesies to men’s and women’s clothing. Throughout her career, she has been fascinated by how colors, patterns, and designs in textiles can quickly transform human emotions. Notable projects include public art installation, Musubi // Connections (2023), supported by The INSITE Fund at Redline Contemporary Art Center; collaborations with the interdisciplinary dance company Holdtight (2024); and her solo exhibition Botanical Stories at Understudy (2024).
Works
Maki Teshima, submitted artwork
I use natural materials to create art through the process of natural dyeing. This allows me to capture and preserve the fleeting beauty of nature. Many plants and natural elements only exist for a short time or under specific conditions, but by dyeing fibers with them, I can extend their life and color. Using hand-dyed fabrics and yarns, I create mobiles, soft sculptures installation, and wall pieces. My work explores the balance between the beauty of nature and its temporary, ever-changing life. My main goal as an artist is to bring comfort and healing to people. In our fast-paced digital world, and during times of political and social tension, I believe that spending time with natural colors and materials can help ease difficult emotions and create a sense of calm and connection. Through my work, I hope to invite viewers to reflect on the passage of time, the impermanence of life, and the lasting beauty found in nature.
