About
by using “KANSHITSU”
Express “Within” as subjects that everything has two faces.
Born in Hokkaido, Japan in 1981. Graduated with postgraduate degree from Tohoku University of Art & Design in 2006. While in the graduate school, participated at “DEL BELLO URUSHI” in Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, and Toledo, from 2004 to 2006.Received the technical guidance of the Hirosaki-Tsugaru-Monsha-nuri from Urushi lacquer artisan, Tsugumichi Matsuyama in 2006. While developing “fretwork formative art”, express three dimensions which are two dimensional ambiguous boundaries. Watanabe’s work came from the ancient technique which is made of hemp cloth and Urushi, called “Kanshitsu”. Kanshitsu technique was transmitted from the Nara and Heian Periods (710-1185).
The concept of Watanabe’s work is “inspiration from materials”. Which approach to a space. Watanabe seeks the relationship between “Environment x Urushi x Human”, and propose “Space with Urushi”. Won Chairman’s award from Japan Special Forestry Promotion Organization at exhibition of “Beauty of URUSHI, Japanese lacquer” in Meiji Shrine Treasure House in Tokyo, 2007. In 2008, held first solo exhibition “NOZOMI EXHIBITION” at Daimaru Fujii Central in Sapporo.
Participated at “HOKKAIDO THREE-DIMENSIONNAL ART ’10”, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo, 2010. “Toronto Art Expo” and “Toronto International Art Fair TIAF”in Toronto, Canada, “Art Shanghai Expo 2010” in Shanghai, China, 2010. Participated at “ULTRA 006”, Spiral in Tokyo, 2013. Held solo exhibition, “material” at Spiral Garden in Tokyo, 2014. In 2015, Installed “Kei” at “Dojima no Mori”, Shin-Daibiru, Osaka. Won Japan Forestry Agency Secretary award at exhibition of “Beauty of URUSHI, Japanese lacquer” in Meiji Shrine Treasure House, Tokyo. Permanently installed her work at “Japan Edition”, Mitsukoshi Ginza, Tokyo.
In 2015, Installed “Syaku” at Daichi-Mirai Shinkin Bank in Sapporo. Installed “Sou” at All Nippon Airline・VIP lounge, New Chitose Airport in Japan, 2017. Watanabe’s most recent work will be displayed at “Exhibition of THE DORAEMON TOKYO 2017”, Mori Arts Center Gallery, Tokyo from November 1, 2017 – January 8, 2018.