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, Edinburgh
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