In a concrete apartment block alongside the Katsura river in Kyoto, you might be surprised to find a dyer at work under fluoros – at nights and after work, Nakajima Takeshi is making his own mark, dyeing Hikizome (brush-dyed) textiles. Adjacent to a stylish living area that attests to a love of design and western … More Nakajima Takeshi – Bridging the Hand-made with Design
Last year, on a rainy October morning I had a wonderful time meeting up again with Satoko Aoki, a Dyer and Illustrator, who works under the artist name of Toko. We first met almost exactly 3 years earlier when we exhibited in a group show of six ‘up-and-coming-artists’ at the Somé Seiryukan Museum in Kyoto. Originally … More TOKO>Aoki Satoko. Illustrative Imagination meets Hand-dyeing.
The world is a small place. You realise this even more so when someone on the other side of the world echoes your own point of view and shares the same struggles and questions. Takeshi Nakajima comes from a background in Graphic Design but wanted to make something tangible by hand. Through trial and error, … More Takeshi Nakajima – Bringing hand-dyed textiles into daily life with Hikizome
In a beautifully re-modeled machiya in the heart of Kyoto, Sayaka Koike is making unique work that really highlights the unique qualities of dye-work. Drawing inspiration from everyday moments and feelings, Sayaka combines various resist techniques which are not usually compatible to produce rough textures and depth. Leaving white edges visible or showing the movement … More Sayaka Koike – the everyday made ethereal
A childhood spent around kimono-dyeing cultivates an innate knowledge Tange Yusuke has been around kimono for a while now. Growing up in his Father’s kimono dyeing studio as a child means that Tange now feels his knowledge is innate; textile dyeing is in his blood. Tange’s works are striking and bright, often depicting seasonal Japanese … More Tange Yusuke – Kimono Meets the Art World
Batik meets Kimono – seeking the true expression of batik dyeing in Kyoto. I had the pleasure of meeting with batik artist Yassy Fujimoto this week . Yassy’s explorations with Indonesian batik dyeing and producing silk kimono are a beautiful expression of cross-cultural influence and exchange. Yassy told us all about her process and ideas … More Yassy Fujimoto – seeking the true expression of batik dyeing in Kyoto
SOMÉ MONO Project 