Junko Mori

 "I am always drawn to the visual impact of an aggregate assembled with many small components and find infinite possibilities of the form multiplied ….. uncontrollable beauty is the core of my concept." Plants Exotica is one of two chandeliers designed by Junko Mori, this one in response to the Devonshire family's history of and passion for collecting exotic plants. (The second chandelier, not yet made, is inspired by the Kitchen Garden). Junko spent two days at Chatsworth researching the library’s botanical books, and touring the garden, taking over 1,500 photographs. The house itself and in particular the stag head chandelier hanging just outside the New Gallery led Junko to experiment with the idea of a basic simple chandelier frame almost overloaded with images of exotic plants to create an effect of “a powerful mass of ripeness”. This is the first serious functional object she has made. Junko made her first appearance at Chatsworth in 2007 as part of a metalwork festival, Galvanize Sheffield, when she was selected by the Sheffield Assay Office to be part of an exhibition in the Great Dining Room. Sheffield Assay Office was the sponsor enabling her to begin silver work in the UK, and as a result, the first silver piece she ever made is in their collection.  Graduating from Camberwell College of Arts in 2000, Junko was shortlisted for the Jerwood Prize in 2005. Her work is held in many national collections in the UK, as well as overseas. She is based in North Wales. Junko is represented by Adrian Sassoon, London.