Yasue Maetake

In the series of Three-Legged Idols, on some level, my work resonates with a question as to whether somaesthetics may become what humans long for in the future.

Many of my past sculptures have been balancing their forms with a variation of three-points-stance that has subtly pervaded throughout my career. Somewhere along the way, I dreamed of creating a series by isolating and glorifying such an important common trait of mine, pondering and gesturing towards its utilitarian and ornamental ubiquity across cultures since prehistory.

A rudimentary need is fulfilled by the tripod with its systematic demand to have just the right contact on the ground in order to be successfully erected in a minimum of three points on Earth. For example, many cultures, including ancient peoples, used tripods as ornaments, trophies or cauldrons extending inevitably into modern instruments, such as stationary cameras, hydraulic floor cranes, and telescopes.

By emphasizing the three-points stance, I portray a liminal space—the purgatory between humanity’s physical connection with Earth—and its simultaneous yearning for the celestial and a speculative future.

—Yasue Maetake

Primordial Soup

2023

H59 x 26 x27 inch

casted aluminum, oak, epoxy coated plexiglass, polyurethan coated kozo-washi, casted polyurethan resin, driftwood, found steel chain, and proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of carved animal bones, seashells, coral, fossils, alabaster, sea glass, and ground marble, red jasper, jade, rose quartz, amethyst, blue quartz, green fluorite, and turquoise.

水引 [mizuhiki]

2023

H28 x9 ½ x 8 ½ inch

brass, brass foil, copper, verdigris, castedaluminum, glass beads, inlay rattan, polymer coated found tree branches, proprietaryblend made from an epoxy embedded seashell, assorted quartz, coral, crab shell, and lobster shell

刺青 [irezumi]

2022

H25 x 10 ½ x 7 ½ inch

Polymer coated found tree branches, casted aluminum, brass, copper, gold leaf, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, verdigris, polyester resin coated fused origami, and found glass marble.

Weather Radar

2023

H38 x 12 x 22 inch

casted aluminum, polymer coated driftwoods, aluminum and copper hydronic heating element, and proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of seashells, assorted quartz, ground marble, alabaster, fossilis, animal bones, and coral.

Triton's flute

2024

H21 x 8 x 12 in.

Polymer coated found tree branches, verdigris, alloys of silver and copper, steel, brass, copper leaf, seashell, epoxy resin, and proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of seashells with seaglass, coral, lobster shells, ground marble

振袖 [furisode]

2023-2024

H30½ x 9 x 9 in.

Polymer coated found tree branches, casted aluminum, brass, copper, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, verdigris, polyester resin coated chiyogami and lily yarn, fused and carved seashells with animal bones, fossilized animal bones, lobster shells, crab shells, corals along with pigmented epoxy resin

海の幸 [umi - no - sachì]

2023

H13 ½ x 7 ¾ x 7 inch

oil painted found tree branches, inlay wood, brass, casted aluminum, fossils, animal bones, seashells, coral, alabaster, soapstone, epoxy resin, gold leaf, and silver leaf.

Capillary Action

2022-2023

H23 ½ x 6 ½ x 7 ½ inch

found tree branches, casted aluminum, alloys of silver and copper, epoxy resin, animal bones, fossils, seashells, corals, steel, and steel chain.

短冊[tanzaku]

2022-2023

H26 ½ x 8 x 8 ½ inch

oil paint on found tree branches, copper, brass, steel, zinc pewter, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, polyester resin coated origami, seashells, and epoxy resin.

Foundry Abyss

2022

H35 ½ x 11 x 11 ½ inch

metallic oil pastel on found tree branches, casted aluminum, melded aluminum on steel wire, verdigris, brass, copper, epoxy resin

Gladiator

2023

H21 ½ x 9 ½ x 7 inch

found tree branches, casted aluminum, silver leaf, alloys of silver and copper, copper, brass, alloys of zinc and pewter, polyester resin coated origami, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, fused and carved seashells with alabaster, animal bones, fossilized animal bones, lobster shells, corals, gold leafed washi, steel, copper, brass, aluminum and glass beads along with pigmented epoxy resin

鍾乳洞 [shōsnyūdō]

2022-2023

H 29 ½ x 8 ½ x 11 inch

casted aluminum, crab shell, polyester resin coated chiyogami and lily yarn, and steel.

垂かんざし [tare - kanzashi]

2023

H24 x 18 ½ x 17 inch

aluminum, blackened casted aluminum, polyester resin coated chiyogami and lily yarn, and proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of carved seashells, driftwood, coral, alabaster, soapstone, animal bones, fossils, and epoxy resin.

不知火 [shiranui]

2023

H37 1/2 × 6 1/2 x 5 inches

casted aluminum, brass, gold leaf, proprietary blend made from an epoxy embedded seashell, coral, assorted quartz, alabaster, glass beads, animal bone, fossil, and ground marble

白拍子[shirabyōshi]

2022

H25 ½ x 14 x 8 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, alloys of silver and copper, epoxy resin, steel chain, oyster shells, animal bones, polyester coated origami, copper, hemp rope, cotton lace, and steel.

神楽 [kagura]

2022

H24 x 10 ½ x 7 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, bent rattan with pigmented epoxy resin, wood, seashells, corals, animal bones, fossilized animal bones, polyester resin coated origami, copper, drawing and collage on plywood, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Ishtar

2023

H28 ½ x 8 ½ x 9 inch

stained and polymer coated found tree branches, alloys of silver and copper, mussel shells, brass, copper, and steel chain.

Graffito Kite

2022

H24 ½ x 10 x 7 inch.

stained found tree branches, metallic oil paint, verdigris, copper, brass, rice-straw fibers, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, drawing on plywood, animal bones, fossils, seashells, crab shells, corals, and epoxy resin.

Enkidu

2022

H19 x 6 x 6 ½ inch

found tree branches, metallic oil & acrylic paint on pigmented epoxy resin coated shredded brass, brass, copper, seashells, steel, alloys of silver and copper

小袖 [kosode]

2022

H9 x 6 x 5 inch

found tree branches, copper, brass, seashells, verdigris, gold leaf on washi, silver leaf on steel, animal bones, crab shells, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, and epoxy resin.

觔斗雲 [kintō - un]

2023

H28 ½ x 10 ½ x 15 ½ inch

found tree branches, casted aluminum, polyester resin coated gold & silver leafed washi booklet, acrylic paint, seashells, found sheet glass, pigmented epoxy resin, found prints on plywood, and fossils.

Galaxy Swing Ride

2024

H30 x 9½ x 10 in.

Metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, epoxy resin, shark spine, seashell, polyester resin coated origami, sheet glasses, fossilized bones, crab shells, brass, copper, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Mesophyll

2023

H22 x 8 x 9 ½ inch

found tree branches, pigmented epoxy resin, verdigris, casted aluminum, aluminum on steel wire, copper, brass, and polyurethane resin.

Avian

2023

H15 × 7 1/2 x 11 inches

Stained, found tree branches, hand blown glass, casted aluminum, seashells, animal bones, fossils, and epoxy resin.

くす玉 [kusudama]

2023

H28 ½ x 8 x 8 inch

polymer and stain coated found tree branches, casted aluminum, found brass instrument, steel, hand blown glass, and proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of seashells, assorted quartz, ground marble, alabaster, animal bones, fossils, coral, origami, and glass beads.

山伏 [yamabushi]

2022-2023

H11 ½ x 7 x 5 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, epoxy resin, alloys of silver and copper, animal bones, seashells, copper, brass, steel, and steel chain.

提灯 [chōchin]

2022

H10 ½ x 7 ½ x 7 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, pigmented epoxy resin, animal bones, shoelace, brass, copper, seashells, steel, fused glass beads with pigmented epoxy resin, alloys of silver and copper

2023

H32 ½ x 19 ½ x 18 ½ inch

animal bone and soap stone fused tree branches, copper, copper wire, casted glass beads, copper leaf, and proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of seashells with alabaster, lobster shells, crab shells, coral, ground marble, origami, and soapstone.

Rafflesia

2023

H23 ½ x 7 ½ x 7 inch

found tree branches, alloys of ceramic, aluminum and mineral ash, seashells, verdigris, kozo fiber, silver leaf, sea glass, and epoxy resin.

Celestial Globes

2022-2023

H25 ½ x 8 ½ x 9 ½ inch

oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, steel wire, proprietary blend made from an epoxy mixture of seashells, assorted quartz, marble, alabaster, animal bones, fossils, corals, crab shells, lobster shells, paper, steel, copper, brass, aluminum, glass beads, and epoxy resin.

神器 [jingi]

2021

H11 ½ x 6 ½ x 5 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, pigmented epoxy resin, animal bones, polyester resin coated origami, seashells, brass, copper, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

あじさい [ajisai]

2022

H7 ½ x 5 x 4 inch

found tree branches, verdigris, copper, brass, steel, steel wire, plywood, found aluminum, polyester resin coated origami, animal bones, seashells, corals, burnt found plastics, and epoxy resin.

Mars Rover

2021

H11 ½ x 7 x 6 ½ inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, quartz, copper, jute rope, shoelace, painted found glass, polyester resin coated origami, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, fused animal bones with seashell, corals and cardboard along with pigmented epoxy resin

Floral Red Snapper

2021

H9 x 7 ½ x 6 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, quartz, animal bones, fossilized bones, seashells, copper, brass, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, polyester resin coated origami, casted polyester resin, pigmented epoxy resin

太陽 [taiyō]

2021

H11 x 7 x 6 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, pigmented epoxy resin, seashells, copper, brass, animal bones, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Rose’s Pinches

2022

H11 x 3 ½ x 4 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, epoxy resin, polyester resin coated origami, brass, copper, and steel spring.

Clover

2022

H11 1/2 x 8 x 6 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, polyester resin coated steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, seashells, crab shells, polyester resin coated origami, and brass.

Limp Pollination

2022

H10 ½ x 6 ½ x 6 inch

oil paint on found tree branches, epoxy resin, alloys of silver and copper, animal bones, fossils, polyester resin coated tin foil and origami, plywood, seashells, and steel chain.

雨宿り [amayadori]

2022

H27 x 13 ½ x 8 inch

found tree branches, casted aluminum, brass, copper, glass beads, quartz, steel chain, pigmented epoxy resin, aluminum paint

球根 [kyūkon]

2022

H10 ½ x 11 x 6 inch

found tree branches, petrified casted iron, coral, seashells, glass beads, brass, verdigris, pigmented epoxy resin, alloys of silver and copper, hand blown glass, casted aluminum, turquoise, and steel chain.

Justitia

2022

H13 x 5 x 10 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, seashells, brass, pigmented epoxy resin coated animal bones, polyester resin coated origami, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Grilled Crescent

2022

H20 x 8 x 8 inch

metallic oil paint and stain on found tree branches, verdigris, alloys of zinc and pewter, animal bones, seashells, shredded latex coated with polyester resin, copper, brass, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Yogi

2022

H11 x 7 x 7 ½ inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, copper, brass, found sheet glass, polyester resin coated cardboard, pigmented epoxy resin, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Constellation

2022

H17 ½ x 12 x 9 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, seashells, corals, brass, copper, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, shoelace, jute rope, pigmented epoxy resin, polyester resin coated origami

Masquerade

2022

H16 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, pigmented epoxy resin, seashells, copper, found sheet glass, animal bones, brass, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Seashell Ball

2019

H9” x 5 1/4” x 4 1/4”

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, polyester resin coated origami, seashells, animal bones, brass, copper, alloys of silver and copper

苔[koke]

2022

H15 x 12 x 8 inch

found tree branches, steel wire on melded aluminum, steel chain, verdigris on fused seashells with copper sheets, brass sheets, fossilized animal bones, corals, quartz, glass beads, lobster shells and crab shells along with pigmented epoxy resin

Queen Bee

2022

H20 x 10 x 14 inch

found tree branches, casted aluminum, polyester resin coated origami, pigmented epoxy resin, casted polyester resin in hand blown glass, corals, seashells, quartz

Chained Tower of Pisa

2022

H19 ½ x 12 x 10 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, copper, shredded brass, steel, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper, shark spine, animal bones, fossilized bones, oyster shells, polyester resin coated aluminum and origami

脇構え [waki - gamae]

2022

H27 x 5 x 8 ½ inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, brass, copper, faux-verdigris pigment on fused seashells with animal bones, fossilized animal bones, corals and pulp along with pigmented epoxy resin

Checkmate’s Woodwind

2022

H14 x 9 x 10 inch

found tree branches, verdigris on epoxy resin, polyester resin coated origami, casted aluminum, chromed found brass, copper, alloys of zinc and pewter, pigmented epoxy resin, steel chain, alloys of silver and copper

Precambrian

2022

H30 x 8 ½ x 10 ½ inch

found tree branches, fused and carved crab shell with casted aluminum along pigmented epoxy resin

灯台 [tōdai]

2022

H17 ½ x 12 x 9 inch

metallic oil paint on found tree branches, verdigris, coper, brass, pigmented epoxy resin, polyester resin coated origami, casted polyester resin, brass, copper, steel, steel chain, steel wire, alloys of silver and copper