- Maio Motoko
- Kobayashi Shumei
- Mitsumoto Takeshi
- Nakano Kaoru
- Oyama Yasuyuki
- Kise Hiroshi
- Kaneko Toru
A regular invited exhibitor in jewellery shows in Italy, Nakano Kaoru grew up in Kyoto, near Lake Biwa. Although the location is a much loved subject of many forms of traditional Japanese culture, Nakano takes her inspiration from the contemporary spirit, from the multiplicity of sources that permeate her soul and inspire her creative instincts.
Part of an international trend in jewellery whereby the creative use of material is more significant than its intrinsic value, Nakano's works of jewellery and abstract scuplture are created from a strong fibrous material, washi, which comes from the Japanese paper mulberry tree, broussonetia kazinoki.
Washi is part of a time-honoured tradition in Japan, integral to the refined culture of the aristocracy, the world of the popular woodblock print and the beauty of the Japanese home. A testament to the resilience belied by its delicate appearance, washi jewellery from the Meiji Period remains.
Nakano layers the paper, progressing from thin to thick paper. Natural glues help preserve the paper and give it some water resistance. Formed by hand, she is able to create wonderfully textured surfaces that blend with her organic shapes to create unique expressions of jewellery art.
Tough, soft and pliable in the hands, Nakano uses silver for fastenings. Gold and silver foil, red and black lacquer extend the canvas of her creativity: 'Only a Japanese designer could marry paper and silver and make it look like a marriage made in heaven' Stephen Crafti indesign Vol.23.
ARTWORKS
Flowing 流 nagare
Nakano Kaoru
2016
Named brooch | Flowing 流 nagare
Washi, silver, pearls
With signature tomobako, artist box
L23 x D9 x H6.5 cm
LKG071Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared (mulberry fibre), on 960 silver
L11cm W15.5cm H3.7cm
LKG2160
Photoshoot: LUI HON clothing x William Hung PhotographyQuantity
Shoulder brooch #61
Nakano kaoru
2017
Shoulder brooch
Washi with blk & cream disc details
W12 x D9 cm
LKG61Quantity
Shoulder brooch #072
Nakano Kaoru
2017
Shoulder brooch
Washi discs
9 x 9 x H2 cm
LKG072Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
2008
Brooch, looped washi with 960 silver ends
L11 x D9 x W4 cm
LKG997Quantity
Ring 4.
Nakano Kaoru
960 Silver, washi (mulberry fibre)
W4.5 D2.5 H5cm
LKG787Quantity
Ring 3.
Nakano Kaoru
960 Silver Ring
Washi (Mulberry Fibre)
Wedge with vertical Lines
W4.5 D2.5 H5cmQuantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared washi (mulberry fibre), on 960 silver
W8cm Max D7.5cm H4cm
LKG675Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared 'washi' (mulberry fibre), lacquer, on 960 silver
w16cm d11cm h2.5 cm
LKG1169Quantity
Washi Hand Piece
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted washi (mulberry fibre), lacquer, 960 silver finger stem
L7.5 W7.5cm
LKG2145Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared 'washi' (mulberry fibre), on 960 silver
W24 x Max Depth 7 x H3 cm
LKG668
Photoshoot credit: LUI HON clothing x William Hung PhotographyQuantity
Ring 1.
Nakano Kaoru
960 Silver x Washi (mulberry fibre)
W3 D3 H4.5 cm
LKG1608Quantity
Ring 2.
Nakano Kaoru
960 Silver ring with washi (mulberry fibre)
W4.5 D2.5 H5 cm
LKG 928Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared washi (mulberry fibre), on 960 silver
W14cm D8cm H3 cm
LKG669Quantity
Cuff
Nakano Kaoru
Hand prepared, treated and dyed washi with silver foil on 960 silver
W11cm D8cm H2 cm
LKG2146Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared washi (mulberry fibre), red lacquer, on 960 silver
W15cm D7cm H2cm
LKG90Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared washi on 960 silver
W18 D6 H4 cm
LKG2160Quantity
Brooch
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and prepared washi (mulberry fibre)
With black lacquer detail, on 960 silver
W15 D2 H7 cm
LKG904Quantity
Dual strand neckpiece
Nakano Kaoru
2016
Dual strand neckpiece, red
Shorter L24 cm
Longer L40 cm
LKG52Quantity
Neck PIece
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and treated washi (mulberry fibre), lacquer
Length 50 cm
LKG056Quantity
Neck Piece
Nakano Kaoru
Hand crafted and treated washi (mulberry fibre), lacquer
Length 42cm
LKG054Quantity
