Junko Mori metalsmith artist portrait

Junko Mori

Born 1974, Yokohama, Japan

“I am always drawn to the visual impact of an aggregate assembled with many small components: I find infinite possibilities of the form multiplied by the vital power beyond the physical space, such as cell division through the microscope.


My work consists of multiples of individually forged steel or other metals, and the subtle difference of each piece results from hand hammering. No piece is individually planned but becomes fully formed within the making and thinking process. Repeating little accidents, like the mutation of cells, the final accumulation of units emerges within the process of evolution. The uncontrollable beauty is the core of my concept.”

The assembling of forged and cast metal is the key to Junko Mori’s work, whether mild steel or pure silver. Her observations of tree and plant matter are the driving force behind many of her sculptures which vary in scale from small objects in precious metal through to fairly massive welded steel works of art. Collected by admirers of antiques and contemporary art, the innate qualities of her creations are highly regarded.

Show More

Working in Wales

1993-1997 Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan, BA Industrial, Interior and Craft Design / Metalwork Course
1998-2000 Camberwell College of Arts, BA Silversmithing & Metalwork

Junko Mori has work in the following public collections:

Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, Aberdeen
Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham
Contemporary Art Society, London
Crafts Council, London
Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester
National Museum Cardiff, Wales
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
National Museums Liverpool, Merseyside
Oriental Museum, Durham University, Durham
Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Temple Newsam, Leeds Museums & Galleries, Leeds
The British Museum, London
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
The Goldsmiths’ Company, London
The Harley Foundation, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire
Touchstones Rochdale Museum and Art Gallery, Lancashire
Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Farmleigh House and Estate, Dublin, Eire
Musée Mandet, Riom, France
Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany
Honolulu Museum Art, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

Selected Press - Junko Mori