Nakamura Yu Chopstick Rest "Suzunari"

These are glass works by Yu Nakayama.
Ms. Nakayama uses recycled glass to create chopstick rests, swizzle sticks, and other items.

Ms. Nakayama's technique is called "burner work" or "lampwork."
She melts glass by adding oxygen to a gas flame with an oxygen torch, raising the temperature to nearly 2000℃.

The "Suzunari" chopstick rest is made by fusing together individual small pieces of glass.
It embodies Ms. Nakayama's wish that "even if no longer needed, even after their purpose is fulfilled, the fruits of joy may once again bloom in our hearts."

The "Mebuku" (Sprouting) swizzle sticks derive their color from wine bottles and ramune bottles.
While it is common to use new glass rods for items like swizzle sticks, Ms. Nakayama starts by cleaning and melting recycled glass to form rods.
By preserving the original colors, she utilizes the inherent qualities of the glass, and the image of a sprout emerging from a seed conveys a sense of vitality.

■Size: Approximately 50-70mm × Height 6-10mm
■Weight: Approximately 5g
■Material: Recycled glass / Smooth
■Microwave: × / Dishwasher: × / Oven: ×
*Sizes and weights vary for each item, so these are approximate figures.

<Yu Nakayama>
1984 Born in Mie Prefecture
2007 Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting
2009 Completed Master's degree at Aichi Prefectural University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting