Wabi sabi creating with imperfection

The concept wabi sabi is from Japanise aesthetics, more can be read here. Artists from the West also find the quality in the principles of asymmetry, roughness, wear and tear and age.

I meet wabi sabi in my pottery course, at first I was very sceptic about not correcting every imperfection to be found. But it was so liberating and giving to leave faults behind and starting to see them contributing to the piece. It really took some practice to leave imperfections behind for instance fingerprints or imperfections in the glazing proces.

Wabi Sabi birdhouse made to reflect the principles of age and imperfection in form and glazing

I am so fascinated by wabi and sabi that I took it with me into my other arts, especially photography for instance rust mostly considered a problem

Rusted worn metal

My dad and I made this Chinese lantern image with focus stacking. I was unhappy with the background not being uniform enough and the lantern resting on a remote. Nothing is really ever perfect; I started to like the shot.

I don’t suggest you stop perfectioning your work; maybe just ask if endless perfection really helps the piece.

Old tray once made in Japan, very good as a last wabi sabi photo

#creating #Photography #pottery #Wabisabi