Hafu Matsumoto, currently based in Chiba, born 1952 in Tokyo, was trained as an apprentice by the great master Iizuka Shōkansai, designated as a Living National Treasure in 1982, specialising in bamboo weaving. Matsumoto established his own studio in 1976, known for creating organic sculptures by weaving and assembling segments of flattened bamboo.
Mastered to perfect the versatility of bamboo, he wanted to convey the beauty of bamboo by stripping, flattening, and shaping it, and to retain the idea of making the work comparable to fresh green bamboo.
Matsumoto works apply often using and shaping of broad flattened bamboo which was softened by steam. He collaborated with LOEWE in 2019, and curated a selection of artworks focusing on the use of leather instead of bamboo, yet retained the style and visual effect of bamboo pieces. It took quite some time for Matsumoto to adjust to the new medium, as to support the soft leathery structure, when rattan was used instead of adhesive that he was used to for his bamboo work.
The selection of leather baskets that perform unique design and craftsmanship was presented alongside LOEWE collection. Matsumoto has received the highest prize Tokyo Governor Prize at the 48th East Japan Craft Art Exhibition in 2007 and the Chairman of the Japan Kōgei Association Prize at 61st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2014. His work is in major collections including the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA.
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