Aiko
Morioka
is an award winning bronze sculptor whose work is defined by
graceful lines and a meditative quality. After a long and
successful career in the private sector, Aiko returned quite
serendipitously to the artistic persuasions of her youth.
After discovering that she had a rare gift for sculpting, Aiko
immersed herself fully in anything and everything about
sculpture. Study included extensive private tutelage with both
notable American sculptors, as well as work abroad in the
legendary sculpture center of the world, Peitrasanta, Italy. In
addition to her expertise in the technique modeling of clay and
bronze casting, Aiko is also accomplished sculpting in marble
and welding in steel.
Aiko’s classical training is reflected in the broad scope of her
three-dimensional expression. Nature, the human form and themes
based in ancient wisdom are a recurring inspiration and presence
in her sculptures. "I love the grace of all things in nature and
the human form above all remains the most versatile and tangible
expression of emotion," Aiko explains. Currently pursuing three
separate bodies of work, her elegant sculptures can be
representational, modern or earthy abstractions.
Aiko’s sculpture has broadly published, including in the
American Art
Collector,
American Art
Collectors West
and
Art of Northern
California. In
July 2006,
Southwest Art
Magazine
highlighted Aiko as "a young artist to watch." Most recently,
her sculpture "Balanced Vision," was selected as the Grand
Prize Winner of
Sculptural
Pursuit Magazine’s
Fourth Annual Art & Literary Competition on the theme of
Universal Peace. It was featured on the magazine’s cover with an
in-depth article in the January 2008 issue. Aiko’s sculpture
was also featured on the cover of Southwest Art Magazine’s
Sculpture issue in August 2008 with an additional article.
In February 2009 Aiko’s poem “The Return” is published as the
First Prize Winner in Sculptural Pursuit Magazine’s
competition on the theme of A Journey of the Mind.
Aiko’s work is widely collected, and informs both private and
corporate collections nationwide.
Aiko is represented by Desert Art Collection in Palm Desert, CA.
and The Churchill Gallery in Newburyport, MA. Her studio is in
Sausalito, CA.