Clusters of Mariko Kusumoto’s Transparent Textile Sculptures Remind Me of the Ocean Floor

Mariko Kusumoto, a Japanese designer and artist, creates gossamer coral and marine life out of soft materials like cotton, nylon, and polyester. The solo sculptures and wearables are translucent representations of lifeforms embedded with minute ripples or airy pockets, and their delicate compositions coincide with the fragility of the subject matter. The Boston-based artist frequently groups the little pieces into larger pieces to produce huge reefs and varied ecosystems that are vibrantly colored and textured.

You may view more of Kusumoto’s ethereal works on Instagram until her solo exhibition at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, in November, which she is now preparing for.