Admittedly, I only happened across this term very recently. I was searching for some specific artwork on Pinterest and suddenly, every painting was tagged with these two words – Wabi-Sabi.

My curiosity got the better of me, coupled with the fact that the artwork connected with this phrase was very pleasing and almost the style I was searching for. Before long, I was deep down a rabbit hole, reading about Japanese customs, ordering books on the beauty of asymmetry and feeling enlightened, whilst also excited to learn of a term which aligned so well with what I felt I was searching for..

The close connection with Buddhism truly ignited my curiosity further, as I had delved into this many years ago and remember how delightful it was to read something that aligned so closely with my own beliefs; beliefs that previously I hadn’t been able to articulate fully.

Effectively, Wabi-Sabi is largely about the imperfections of something, or rather seeing beauty in the imperfections, rather than striving for perfection. It’s about celebrating the cracks, the wrinkles, the asymmetry of something and taking pleasure in its aesthetic. As someone who has long worn asymmetric earrings and been drawn to the beauty of weathering, I am no stranger to its beauty.

Where, perhaps, does this fit into my art practice, I wondered? Immediately, it felt like I had been granted permission. Permission to create imperfection and show it proudly to the world, to stop striving for perfection in my work and be freer, looser with every mark I make. Ultimately, it’s about slowing down, seeing, observing, recording, in a slow, considered way, yet without the constraints of perfection or anxiety of my work fitting neatly within any specific box.

The way in which Wabi-Sabi also connects beautifully with nature and the outdoors, provided further reassurance and motivation. Since graduating from my MA Fine Art degree at Central Saint Martins, I have been reworking my blog and with that, the direction of my practice. Suddenly, it feels to be coming together into something that excites me..