Mie Miyakawa / 宮川 美恵　https://www.miemiyakawa.com

After living in Edinburgh, UK for 7 years 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.

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英国での学生時代、ジュエリーをデザインする時にいつも「自分らしさってなんだろう」 と考えていました。 そして帰国後、北海道の祖父母が住んでいた家で出逢ったのが、祖母が着ていた着物です。日本の伝統色で彩られた、やわらかな色使いのテキスタイルデザイン、伝統的な文様や和柄をみていると、自分のルーツを見つけた気持ちになりました。 時代や世代を超えて大切に引き継いでもらえる、そんなジュエ リーをこれからも丁寧につ くっていきたいと思っています。

Bio

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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

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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

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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

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学歴

2002-2003年　The Surrey Institute of Art & Design University College (英国)

2003-2006年　Edinburgh College of Art　応用美術学部ジュエリー科 BA(Hons) (英国)

2006-2007年　Edinburgh College of Art　応用美術学部ジュエリー科 Postgraduate Diploma (英国)

受賞歴・奨学金

2003年　The International scholarship for Edinburgh College of Art （奨学金）

2004年　The Gemmological Association design award for gem set jewellery, first prize（最優秀賞受賞）

2005年　The International scholarship for Edinburgh College of Art （奨学金）

2006年　Andrew Grant Bequest – Major award, Edinburgh College of Art （アンドリューグラント賞受賞）

2006年　The Gemmological Association design award for gem set jewellery, highly recommended （受賞）

2008年　The Duntan prize, New ashgate gallery （ダンタン賞受賞）

職歴

1997-2001年　貴金属会社勤務（東京）

2005年　ジュエリー作家 サラ・スタフォード, 制作アシスタント(ロンドン)

2005年　ジュエリーMANU社 プロダクトジュエリー原型制作, 商品化(ハーメルン、ドイツ)

2005年　ジュエリー作家 マルコム・アップルビー　制作アシスタント(スコットランド)

2007-2009年　アーティストインレジデンス、Edinburgh College of Art (エディンバラ)

2009-2010年　非常勤講師[ジュエリー科]　Leith Academy (エディンバラ)

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