Glass works by artist Ryu Okubo will be on sale at the SUB-ROSA shop. “SAPPY GOOSE” is based on the motif of a bird and will become a mainstay in any interior. Glass artisans created by hand based on sketches made by Okubo on his iPad.

This is a first for Okubo, who has worked mainly in two-dimensions on canvas and other surfaces, to attempt a three-dimensional, glass work. A big fan of toys, video games, movies and countless other influences from his entertainment predecessors, he calls this work “a homage to Picasso, or a rip-off. They’re not as famous as his paintings, but Picasso’s glass works were cute. I’ve always wanted to do a Picasso-style piece.”

Glass artisan Hitoshi Kakizaki, who is currently running a workshop in Ebetsu, Hokkaido after 15 years of training in Sweden, the US, and Italy, received the sketch from Okubo. He says that it was a special kind of modeling that required about five months of trial and error even for a 36-year veteran of the craft.

“With pottery and string, you can make an irregularly shaped object by attaching parts to it, but this time it was glass. Glass is basically a rotating object, and since it cannot be touched by hand, we had to blow on it while shaping it, so it was very difficult to create a shape that had to eventually be detached from the rotating object, as was the case here.”

Even so, Kakizaki continues, “You get interesting requests from people who aren’t used to working with glass. Of course, when we first started working with these people you kind of go ‘What!?’ There are times when I’m surprised but I feel motivated to give it a go.

Each bird is unique in its coloration and workmanship, and each piece has a different expression. While holding it in his hands, Okubo says, “It’s great to make a piece that will be remembered.”

“Once you buy a piece like this, it’s treasured, and it’s hard to throw away. Maybe they’ll stay in a person’s home forever. It was a good reminder to myself that it’s important for me to carefully create any work of art.”

Due to the limited nature of “SAPPY GOOSE”, it will be limited to 20 pieces and will go on a first-come, first-served basis. To get them, please visit the SUB-ROSA Store.