Chiaki O’Brien (Good Together)
Chiaki O’Brien assists participants in learning SAORI weaving, a free-form and intuitive weaving style, originally from Japan.
Teaching artist Chiaki O’Brien facilitated SAORI at Fresh Eye Gallery (December 2022 – January 2023), a joyful and easy "freestyle" weaving process that originates from Japan. Participants weaved on pre-warped SAORI looms provided by the instructor at their own pace and intuition.
Weavings produced during the workshop are now on exhibit in Good Together, alongside art from 5 other workshops led by local teaching artists is also exhibiting. Each workshop was designed for individuals with disabilities.
Chiaki spent time answering some questions about her art background, their experience as a teaching artist, and advice they may have for other artists interested in bringing art facilitation into their practice.
Good Together is on display until February 11, 2023.
Tell us more about yourself and your art background.
I'm originally from Japan. It's been 19 years since I've moved here in MN with my husband. II I took a year-long SAORI Weaving course back in Japan, ended up getting a SAORI teaching certificate and worked at the SAORI school. I was a girl who didn't like craft and art. My mom did all the projects for me. She loved craft!
What led you to adding teaching to your art practice?
I brought SAORI Weaving in MN for the first time in 2004. SAORI has given me a joy to the girl who didn't like craft and art. So, I thought it'd be nice to share this joy to people.
What class did you teach for Fresh Eye? What was the experience like?
I taught SAORI Weaving. It was nice to have people who haven't done weaving before. Many new weavers were born! It was nice to see some were admiring each other's work. That's very important. Fresh Eye Gallery is a perfect venue to do it as we were surrounded by all different kinds of art! Inspiring!
Do you remember the very first class you ever facilitated? What was it?
After I moved to Minnesota from Japan, my English was not good yet so I was nervous whether or not I was conveying what SAORI Weaving is correctly, but everything went well after all!
What type of advice would you have for other artists who are interested in teaching but aren’t sure on how to get started?
I can only talk about SAORI Weaving, but I believe SAORI Weaving is about your life, so whenever I have someone interested in teaching, I ask this person to share one's stories that discovered/changed one's life through SAORI Weaving. SAORI is not about how beautifully you can weave. How you express yourself and admire that everyone is different.
Chiaki O’Brien brings SAORI Weaving to participants ranging from small children to older adults. You can learn more about her by visiting her website: http://saoristudiofun.com/.