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Mie Miyakawa Contemporary Jewellery Design

ABOUT

 

After living in Edinburgh, UK for 7years I returned to a small rural town in Hokkaido, Japan to live in my grandparent’s old house where I would later set up my jewellery studio. 

My grandmother used to practise and teach the traditional art of Japanese doll making which uses kimono fabric as its principle material. As well as her doll work, I found lots of other things crafted by her around the house which fascinated me - not only because of their unique aesthetic, but because of the skill involved in their making. I also found that she reused many items and remade many things. Her work demonstrated to me how beautiful Japanese fabrics are, and how important it is to look at objects in different ways: i.e. there may be some other way to use something again before it goes to waste.  

In creating my jewellery, I now like to work with materials which once had their own use, a previous purpose, a previous life. I enjoy looking for, and finding these materials in my surroundings.

Being in nature stimulates me and gives me energy, inspiration, and ideas for my jewellery. Nature has its own aesthetic, and I like the way it shows itself just by being itself: there is no pretence.

 

With these ideas in mind, my current designs are focussed on combining precious metals with secondhand/off-cuts of traditional Japanese kimono fabric, recycling this once used, forgotten or discarded material into jewellery so that it may become wearable again.

 

Mie Miyakawa

​Qualifications

2006-2007   Edinburgh College of Art, Postgraduate Diploma  Jewellery & Silversmithing

2003-2006   Edinburgh College of Art, BA(Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing        

2002-2003   The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College,   Foundation in Art & Design

Awards

2008     The Duntan Prize, New Ashgate Gallery

​2006     Andrew Grant Bequest - Major award

2006     The Gemmological Association Design Award for gem set jewellery - Highly recommended

2005     The International scholarship for Edinburgh College of Art

2004     The Gemmological Association Design Award for gem set jewellery - First prize

2003     The International scholarship for Edinburgh College of Art

Professional experience

2009-2010   Teaching a jewellery evening course, Leith Academy, Edinbu​rgh

2007-2009   Artist in residence, Edinburgh College of Art

Dec 2005      A work placement with jeweller & silversmith Malcom Appleby, Aberfeldy, Scotland 

Jun 2005      Selected for work placement in Germany with the company MANU

Apr 2005       A work placement with jeweller Sarah Stafford, London

       

Past exhibitons 

2021    'Munich jewellery week 2021(cancelled due to COVID-19), Germany   

​2021    'Tokachi arts & craft Kazeatsumaru' Japan

2020    'Crafts fair Matsumoto 2020, Japan

2019     'Jewellery Pop-up shop' Mint cafe, Obihiro, Japan 

2019     'SIERAAD' Amsterdam, Netherland

2018     'Jewellery Pop-up shop' Mint cafe, Obihiro, Japan 

2018     'Soul of things 物の魂’ Galleria Oryza, Obihiro, Japan 

​2017      'Jewellery Pop-up shop' Mint cafe, Obihiro, Japan 

2017      'Ohanami WEEK', Tokachi Hills Garden, Obihiro, Japan 

2017       ‘Medori vol.3’ en.share space Kushiro,Japan

2017      A joint exhibition, Galleria Oryza, Obihiro, Japan

2016      Solo show, Gallery+Sakan Mint cafe, Obihiro, Japan

2008     'Gifted 2008', National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

2008     'Recent Graduates 2008-Applied Arts focus', New Ashgate Gallery, Surrey

2007      'Celebration', Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery, Bristol

2007      'Brave Art', Atlantis Gallery, London

2007      'BLACK, WHITE &...',  The White Gallery, Dundee

2007      'Fresh and New', Precious, Edinburgh

2007      'New Designers', London

2007       Postgraduate Degree Show, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh                             

2006      'INHORGENTA', Germany

2006      '100% EAST', London

2006      'New Designers', London

2006       Degree Show, Edinburgh College of Art

 

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