Kae Sasaki

Treaty 1 Territory
Winnipeg, Man.

Kae Sasaki, Untitled (Floor Globe), 2021/2024. Thread and reclaimed vintage Japanese beads over a vintage floor globe, and mounted on a repurposed wooden table base, 91 x 33 x 33 cm. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.

Studio: How would you describe your approach to your medium? What made you choose it?

Kae Sasaki: My approach to beadwork is deeply rooted in the material's history and its capacity to convey layered narratives. I exclusively work with reclaimed vintage Japanese beads, primarily from the 1940s to the 1970s. These beads once adorned handmade bags, embodying stories of craft, labour, and personal memory. I am drawn to their patina, the quiet presence of time they hold, and their inherent fragility. The act of reclaiming and repurposing these beads connects my practice to sustainability, a core tenet of my artistic philosophy. Beadwork, with its intricate process of assembly and transformation, allows me to explore the tension between tradition and contemporary expression. The repetitive nature of beading mirrors meditation, and it is within this rhythm that I discover new possibilities for the material. This practice becomes a conversation between the past and present, with each bead representing a moment, a memory, or a connection. I chose beadwork because it combines tactile intimacy with a profound sense of continuity - offering both a challenge and an opportunity to create work that bridges cultures and time.

Kae Sasaki, Untitled (Child Sized Kimono), 2018. Thread and beads over a child sized kimono, pleated maple leaf tartan fabric lined with hidden pockets, 91 x 69 cm. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.

S: How would you describe yourself, personally and professionally?

KS: I am an artist who draws from the intersection of personal history and cultural memory, navigating my identity as both a Japanese woman and a Canadian artist. I’ve spent much of my life bridging two worlds - Japan, where I was born and where my artistic journey began, and Canada, where I’ve honed my craft, raised a family, and expanded my creative practice. Professionally, I began as a painter working in realism, and my shift toward beadwork is a natural evolution of my interest in texture, narrative, and material history. I am meticulous and thoughtful, approaching each work with a blend of technical rigour and conceptual exploration. Personally, I see my practice as an extension of my experiences - each piece is a reflection of my inner world, balancing between tradition and innovation, the intimate and the universal. As a mother and mid-career artist, I remain deeply engaged in the dialogue between past and present, using reclaimed materials to challenge perceptions of value, memory, and craft. In my work, I strive to honour both the personal and the collective.

Kae Sasaki, Untitled (Zither), 2024. Thread and reclaimed vintage Japanese beads over a vintage Menzenhauer zither, 51 x 33 x 5 cm. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.

S: What inspires you?

KS: I am inspired by materials that carry history and the stories embedded within them. My practice revolves around reclaiming vintage Japanese beads - fragments of the past that I transform into new visual narratives. These beads, once part of handmade bags and now repurposed into my sculptures, hold a quiet sense of time, labour, and personal memory. I find inspiration in their journey, their wear, and their transformation into something beyond their original function. The themes of memory, sustainability, and community drive my work. I also draw inspiration from nature, particularly the fluidity and unpredictability of water, which often informs the rhythm and movement within my compositions. Beyond materials, I am deeply inspired by the process itself - the act of beading is meditative, each stitch a way of connecting with the past while envisioning new futures. My cultural heritage and lived experience further fuel my creativity, particularly the interplay between traditional Japanese aesthetics and contemporary craft. The ever-evolving landscape of craft and design also inspires me, pushing my work to engage with modern dialogues around sustainability, memory, and materiality.

Kae Sasaki, Untitled (Pop Filter), 2024. Reclaimed vintage Japanese beads on a found pop filter, installed with a condenser microphone and a scissor stand, 56 x 15 x 2 cm. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.

S: What do you see as your contribution to the field of your craft?

KS: My contribution to the field of beadwork lies in my fusion of reclaimed materials with a painter's sensibility, creating work that challenges the conventional boundaries between craft and fine art. By exclusively working with reclaimed vintage Japanese beads, I draw attention to sustainability and the potential for renewal in discarded or forgotten objects. My background in painting, particularly my experience with realism and composition, informs my approach to beadwork. This allows me to treat each bead as a brushstroke, creating layered, textured narratives that extend beyond traditional craft forms. I see my work as a bridge between past and present, where the beads' historical significance is honoured, yet transformed into contemporary sculptures that engage with broader themes of memory, identity, and cultural exchange. In this way, my work contributes to a dialogue on the evolving role of craft in contemporary art. I aim to show that beadwork can transcend its origins as a decorative practice, becoming a medium that addresses complex social, cultural, and environmental issues, while still honouring its craft heritage.

Kae Sasaki, Untitled (Tagliatelle), 2023. Thread and reclaimed vintage Japanese beads over a vintage pasta machine, 18 x 36 x 20 cm. COURTESY OF THE ARTIST.

S: What wisdom do you want to impart to younger makers?

KS: Trust in your process and your materials. It’s easy to become preoccupied with trends or external validation, but the most meaningful work comes from a deep engagement with your own narrative and a commitment to your chosen medium. Take time to understand the materials you work with, whether they are traditional or unconventional. The story behind your medium - its history, its origins - can enrich your practice in unexpected ways. Experiment freely, and don’t be afraid to embrace failure as a step toward innovation. Art is as much about discovery as it is about creation. Embrace patience; the path of a maker is not linear, and growth comes from both persistence and curiosity. Lastly, be mindful of the impact your work has on the world around you. Sustainability, responsibility, and intentionality should be at the heart of your practice. Craft has a unique ability to connect with people on a tangible level - use this power to inspire, provoke thought, and foster a connection between past, present, and future.

Kae Sasaki
instagram: @kaesasakiart
website: kaesasaki.com/beadwork

This article was published in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Studio Magazine.