Koji Tanaka Woodworking

UPDATE (January 2022): Just moved from Santa Barbara, CA, USA to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada and in process of finding new shop space. ARTIST STATEMENT:

The heart of my work is derived from organic forms found in nature. Working with wood allows me to sculpt natural pieces and attempt to embody and regain what nature has perfected over millenia. Every piece of wood I work with has its own uniq

ue characteristics and grain patterns that dictate how the material will best be displayed. These patterns and flows are fundamental to each piece as they provide as much art to the pieces as my hands. Much of the work is accomplished with hand and power tools, such as chisels, grinders, and sander, but in the finishing stages, it is completely hand-sanded. I believe the hand is the best tool to truly bring the piece to its finished stage. I want my clients to experience my pieces as I do in their final stages, feeling and touching all the curves, grains, and essence with their fingers. My pieces are as much a visual experience as they are a tactile one. The collaborative design process between the client and I allows for a creative amalgamation of ideas ultimately producing a piece that please all who are involved. As my clients' tastes are wide-ranging, my designs reflect my boundless creativity. I aim to create pieces of the highest quality using process that is proven and never ending attention to detail.