Artist Statement
I attempt to capture the energy and beauty of nature using gold and silver, and gemstones to create functional art-to-wear jewelry. Gemstones and crystals have powers to heal and protect the person wearing it. By creating jewelry that is in harmony with nature, I hope to provide the wearer with a sense of calm, and the modest joy in connecting them with their environment. Ultimately, I would be gratified if the wearer finds aspects of beauty in herself through the pleasure in putting on my jewelry.
Profile
I was born in the countryside of Shinshu completely surrounded by mountains. As the youngest of three children, I often played by myself in the woods where trees hundreds of year old grow. Behind the house, spring water flowed and the stones in the stream looked so pretty to me. One day, my grandfather gave me a gift of small pebble-like stones and gemstones. This gift opened the door for me to the world of jewelry as an art form. From that day on, I have attempted to interpret and create shapes inspired by nature.
As an adult, I moved to New York City where I came in contact with people of many backgrounds and had experiences I’d never experienced. I realized that no matter where people come from we all share similar emotions and at the same time I became keenly aware of my own roots in Shinshu. Because of my upbringing, I feel a strong joy in being one with nature and I hope that my jewelry design communicates this sense of pleasure.
Kiyomi Yamagishi
short CV
- Born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- graduated Nihon University, BA
- moved to New York City in 1987
- completed Metal Design certification program at Parsons School of Design
- lives in Brooklyn
- shows in exhibitions and art events in the U.S. and Japan
- moved back to Nagano in 2014
- running the Gallery Shoshinkan (National Registered Tangible Cultural Property)
One Person Show
- 2024Gallery blanka (Nagoya)
Kiyomi Yamagishi Art Jewelry Show - 2024Gallery Hana (Nishinomiya)
Let’s go to the crystal forest to find the key of joy. - 2024Tea Room Gallery Rakuan (Tokyo)
New Blooming - 2023Life Stage Pair (Himeji)
Let’s Bloom - 2023Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Let’s bloom - 2023Onomachi α （Wakayama)
Blooming - 2022Gallery Hana (Nishinomiya)
Dream Catcher - 2021Life Stage Piare (Himeji)
Inspire - 2020Onomachi α (Wakayama)
Grow - 2019Gallery Rakuan (Tokyo)
Inspire - 2019Gallery Shoshinakan (Nagano)
Autumn Collection 2019 - 2019 Gallery Hana (Nishinomiya)
Shape of Time - 2019Life Stage Piare (Himeji)
New York Scene - 2019Onomachi α (Wakayama)
Spring Breeze - 2018gallery shop Si (Kobe)
Crystal Journey - 2017Onomachi α (Wakayama)
Sparkling Heart - 2017Life Stage Piare (Himeji)
White Sands - 2017Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Sparkling Heart - 2017Synchronicity NYC (New York)
Kiyomi Yamagishi Limited Time Trunk Show - 2016Gallery Kinasa-Irohado (Nagano)
Morning Dew - 2016Onomachi α (Wakayama)
Whisper in the Forest - 2015Life Stage Piare (Himeji)
Reborn - 2015Gallery Kinasa-Irohado (Nagano)
reborn - 2014Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Autumn Collection - 2014Onomachi α (Wakayama)）
Passion - 2014Life Stage Piare (Himeji)
beyond the ages - 2014Heiando Cafe Gallery (Nagano)
beyond the ages - 2013Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Future Ruins - 2013 Galerie Wa2 (Tokyo)
dawn - 2013Onomachi α （Wakayama)
joy - 2012Craft & Gallery Miki (Kurashiki)
Feel the Nature - 2012LIFESTAGE Piarre (Himeji)
Cascade
Two Person Show
- 2022Nobata Art Work in Ginza (Tokyo)
Blooming - 2022Gallery MOSTO (Tokyo)
No Excuse 2022 -Natural- - 2018Gallery Shoshinakan (Nagano)
New York Scene - 2018Nobana Art Work in Ginza (Tokyo)
Hope - 2016Nobana Art Work in Ginza (Tokyo)
Sparkling Winter - 2013gallery shop si (Kobe)
Contemporary Jewelry - 2013Gallery Kogeino-wa (Noda)
Two Persons Show
Group Show
- 2024Studio 34 Gallery (New York)
Small Artwork Show vol.5 in New York - 2024Nobata Art Work in Ginza (Tokyo)
Group Show - 2024Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Small Artwork Show vol.5 in Nagano - 2023Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Feel the Nature - 2022STUDIO GORORONKI (Kyoto)
NEXT Exhibition - 2022Galleria Omotesando (Nagano)
Beautiful and Love things - 2021Galleria Omotesando (Nagano)
Winter Gift Collection 2021 - 2021Figureworks (New York)
Small Artwork Show vol.4 in New York - 2021Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
New York Scene vol.2 - 2021SUWA GARASUNOSATO (Suwa)
ArTIST SqUARE – Meet the Artists – - 2021SUWA GARASUNOSATO (Suwa)
ArTIST SqUARE - 2020Galleria Omotesando (Nagano)
Winter Gift Collection 2020 - 2020Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Small Artwork Show vol.4 - 2019Nagano Tokyu Department Store (Nagano)
Creators Market - 2019gallery shop Si (Kobe）
0-15 - 2019Gallery Shoshinakn (Nagano)
Matushi-Rock Art Exhibition - 2019GORORONKI (Kyoto)
COME ON! - 2018 Gallery Kogeino-wa (Noda)
Merry X’mas Show - 2018M -WAVE (Nagano)
Shinshu Hand Craft Festa - 2017Studio 34 (New York)
Small Art Show vol.3 in New York - 2017Gallery Kogeino-wa (Noda)
Autumn Collection 2017 - 2017Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Small Art Show vol.3 in Nagano - 2017Galleria Omotesando (Nagano)
Various Material’s Accessories Show - 2016Ikeda Masuo Art Museum - Museum Shop (Nagano)
Matsushiro Fair - 2016BITOHA Art & Design (Nagano)
In Tune - 2016Nagano Tokyu Department Store (Nagano)
Crafts of Shinsyu Exhibition - 2015Gallery Nobana Art Work in Ginza (Tokyo)
Three Person Show - 2015Studio 34 (New York)
Small Art Show vol.2 in New York - 2015Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
Small Art Show vol.2 in Nagano - 2015Galerie Konoha (Tokyo)
Arts & Crafts EASTER PARADE - 2015Nagano Tokyu Department Store (Nagano)
Crafts of Shinsyu Exhibition - 2015Kokoronohana Museum (Ueda)
Arts of Cats Exhibition - 2014Galleria Omotesando (Nagano)
Winter Gift Collection - 2014Gallery Nobana Art Work in Ginza (Tokyo)
Four Person Show - 2014Patio Daimon (Nagano)
Zenkoji Omote-sando Gallery Week 2014 - 2013AsiaStore at Asia Society and Museum (New York)
AisaStore’s Summer Sale Event - 2013 AsiaStore at Asia Society and Museum (New York)
AsiaStore’s Asian American Designer Showcase - 2013Gallery Niosya (Yamato)
Art Works 2013
Past Exhibitions in U.S.A.
One Person Show
- 2011 Gallery Barking Lizards (Brooklyn, NY)
- 2009 & 2008 Mieko Mintz (Soho, NY)
Group Show
- 2011 Art for Happiness – Textile Show (Lower East Side, NY)
- 2009 Original Tote Bag Exhibition (Brooklyn, NY)
- 2007 & 2006 Mieko Mintz ( Soho, NY)
- 2006 Seigo Accessories (Upper Eastside, NY)
- 2004 & 2003 Felissimo Design House (56th St, NY)
- 2000 -1994 Atmosphere (Soho,NY)
- 1999,1998 & 1997 Clodagh Desigh(Noho,NY)
- 1994 & 1993 Gallery 91 (Soho,NY)
Past Exhibitions in JAPAN.
One Person Show
- 2011 Craft & Gallery Miki (Kurashiki)
- 2011 & 2010 Galerie Wa2 (Tokyo)
- 2011, 2008, 2004 & 2002 Gallery Dan-Ginza（Tokyo）
- 2008 Gallery The Blue Box (Okazaki)
- 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 & 2004 LifeState Piare（Himeji）
- 2010 & 2006 Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
- 2011, 2004, 2002, 2001 & 1999 Heiando Café Gallery (Nagano)
- 2003 & 1998 Gallery Dada (Kinosaki)
- 2002 Arai Atelier Gallery (Tokyo)
- 1996 & 1994 Gallery Hiro (Nagano)
Two Person Show
- 2008 “Organic” Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
- 2001 “Fusion-S” Gallery Shizukana Mukaikaze (Himeji)
- 1999 “NYC+BCN” Gallery Marya (Takatsuki)
- 1997 No Excuse” Heiando Gallery（Nagano）
- 1997 & 1996 “No Excuse” Gallery Marya (Takatsuki)
Group Show
- 2012 “Art Works 2012” Gallery Niousha (Yamato)
- 2012 “Small Art Show-Art for Happiness-” Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
- 2011 “Textile Show” Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
- 2009 “Original Tote Bag Exhibitin” Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
- 2007 “Kiyomi + Family Exhibition” (Group Show) Gallery Shoshinkan (Nagano)
- 2005 - 2012 “Art Jewelry Show” Gallery Arche (Oiso)