KEIKO Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition featuring three Japanese female textile artists who weave or use woven fabric in distinctive, creative ways. Japanese textiles are well known throughout the world for exceptional standards of dyeing and weaving as well as for diversity of techniques and patterning. Each of these three artists draws on that legacy in unique, individualistic ways, and each, widely exhibited in Japan, and has been recognized for distinctive innovations in wearable art.

Hoshi, Mitsue (Woven Tapestries and Shawls)

Hoshi Mitsue, from Kanagawa Prefecture, graduated from Musashino Junior College of Art and Design, but is essentially a self taught weaver. Her mornings begin with a walk in the forest observing the continual changes in nature. It is there that she collects the natural materials she uses for dying the threads from the cocoons of wild silk worms. In order to feature the irregular qualities of this distinctive natural silk in her exquisite tapestries and shawls, she arranges the warp and weft of her loom to weave loosly. Many of her tapestries are composed of two or three layers, and she selects differing patterns and graduated subtle colors for each layer so that when overlapped they possess an unusual dimensional depth, a concept she borrows to create the same effect for her single layered, large shawls.

Takeda, Asayo (Sculptured Fabric Purses)

Takeda Asayo began studying art at the age of 23 at Kyoraku Art Institute, and continues her study in abstract painting at Motonaga Sadamasa Studio in Kyoto as a way to refine her concepts of soft, textile sculpture. Early in her career she was awarded various prizes for her sculptured purses from established competitions such as Asahi Modern Craft Competition, the Japan Craft Association, Shinbi Craft Association and Takaoka Craft Competition. In 1970, she was an affiliate craftsman for a large company that produces handmade bags and in 1976 she established her own independent studio for the production of fabric sculpture and bags. Early, in her independent career, she was awarded various prizes for her sculptured purses, from established competitions such as Asahi Modern Craft Competition, the Japan Craft Association, Shinbi Craft Association and Takaoka Craft Competition. To wear one of Takeda Asayo’s bags is like carrying around an exquisite piece of sculpture. She continually studies figure drawing in order to create designs that are comfortable and complimentary to the human body. In addition to careful choices of textiles?everything from fine black silk and brocaded obi fabric to the rustic rich brown coarse textiles of old recycled filters used in sake brewing?she thoughtfully places exterior and interior pockets for easy access without interrupting the flow of the form. Included in this exhibition will also be her recent non-functional sculptural pieces.

Yoshida, Akemi（Fabric Flowers）

Yoshida Akemi, from Chiba Prefecture, graduated from Bunka College of Fashion in 1970, and later studied textile flower fabrication under Akio Hirata, well known as a designer of hats for members of Japanese imperial families. Throughout her long career in making silk flowers, Yoshida Akemi has employed fine, antique dyed and woven kimono textiles. In a manner of speaking, one could say she has found a valuable way to recycle and preserve the beautiful patterns of antique kimonos, once worn by an older generation. She selects patterns carefully, cuts them into small pieces which, when combined with various other textiles, are transformed into the petals which she assembles into exquisite flowers. In her most recent work, Yoshida has employed the dramatic, richly woven brocades of old obis for her decorative floral objects.