The Artist’s profile
Through her work, Mari Ishikawa explores the concept of parallel worlds existing alongside our own, inviting us to uncover the invisible layers of reality that surround us every day. Living in Munich, Germany, and maintaining a studio there, Ishikawa blends her experiences in the physical world with her perception of the unseen, transforming them into intricate jewellery pieces. Her creations serve as a gateway to alternate realities, where discovery begins with the simple act of looking, of opening one’s eyes to the world beyond.
Ishikawa believes that nothing in this world can escape its ultimate destiny—everything is transient, moving between life and death. In her jewellery, she captures fleeting moments from nature, offering tactile sensations that ground us in the physical presence of the ever-changing world. Each piece interrupts the cycle of transience, preserving a brief moment in time and standing as a testament to the impermanence of all things.
For Ishikawa, jewellery is more than just an adornment—it is a story, and each piece holds the potential to create new narratives with its wearer. By giving life to these stories, her jewellery invites us to see the world in new ways, to experience it through the parallel worlds she so vividly captures.
The triggers to become an artist
I became an artist because I wanted a more direct connection with people. As an interior designer in Tokyo, I felt drawn to create something more personal and meaningful, which led me to jewellery. It allows me to engage with others through stories and experiences, not just objects.
I wanted a more direct connection with people..
Mari Ishikawa
Environmental Concerns
Many of Ishikawa’s pieces are inspired by nature and made from materials sourced directly from the natural world. This connection to the environment allows her to create jewellery that reflects the beauty of nature while highlighting its importance and fragility.
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Mari Ishikawa, born in Kyoto, Japan.
Education & Activities
2001 Diploma at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, Germany
2000 – 1999 Master student at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, Germany
1994 – 2000 Student at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, Germany (department of art jewellery)
A selection of exhibitions and group exhibitions are; 2023 “SHAKKEI-borrowed scenery” ,Gallery Thereza Pedorosa, Asolo, Italy, / 2023 “KATACHI form+forcus” National Museum of Ceramics, Valencia, Spain / 2022 “Light as acloud, deep as light and shade” ,Galeria Ana Serratosa, Valencia, SE /2022 “Jewelry//SCHMUCK donate and acquisition” Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich /2022 “Märchen, Mythen und Geschichten” Galerie Handwerk, Munich / 2022 “The Truth Mind and Yours” The geological Museum, Ramat Hasharon, Israel / 2022 “Invisible Thread II”, Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein, Munich /2022 “Borrowed Scenery” Jeweller’s Werk Gallery, Washington, USA / 2021 “(UN) LOCKED” , Gallery deux poisons, Tokyo, Japan / 2021 “(UN) LOCKED” , MORI Museum, Tokyo, Japan / 2021 “Jewelry Stories” Museum of Art and design, NY, USA / 2021 “Invisible Thread”, Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein, Munich / 2020 “METALLOphone 5:Museum”, Lithuanian National Museum,Vilnius, Lithuania / 2020 “The place of Shattered Vessels II” FLOOTS Gallery, Beijing, China / 2019 “Border”, Jeweller’s Werk Gallery, Washington, USA / 2019 “Border” , A Casa Museu, Sao Paulo, Brasil / 2019 “L’Ecriture des mondes” Galerie de la Perle Noire, Lancon de Provence, France / 2019 “Cheongju International Craft Biennale” Chengju, Sud Koria / 2018 “Border” , Museo Nacional de Ceramica, Valencia, Spain / 2018 “50 Jahre Handwerkskammer “, Galerie Handwerkskammer, Munich, Germany / 2018 “With Other Eyes”, Ruthin Craft Center, Ruthin, UK“Pensieri Preziosi 14” Oratorio di San Roccos, Padua, Italy
Awards
2016 Art Prize 2016 by the Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste, Munich, Germany
2013 Inhorgenta Munich Award, Munich, Germany
2013 Legnica Silver Award, Legnica, Poland
2012 The Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, 2nd Prize, Pittsburg, USA
2010 Bayerischer Staatspreis 2010, Internationale Handwerksmesse, Munich, Germany
2009 Advancement Award for Applied Arts 2009, City of Munich, Germany
2007 Tahitian Pearl Trophy, 2nd Prize
2000 Herbert Hofmann Award, Schmuck 2000, Internationale Handwerksmesse, Munich, Germany Böhmler Art Award, 1st Prize, Munich, Germany
Public Collections
Ville de Cagnes-sur-Mer, France.
Museum fürr Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany
Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Hanau, Germany.
GRASSI Museum of Applied Arts, Leipzig, Germany
Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum, Munich, Germany.
Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, Germany
Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany
Museo degli Argenti, Florence, Italy
Hiko Mizuno Collection, Tokyo, Japan
Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Great Britain
Helen W. Drutt Collection, Philadelphia, PA, USA
MAD – The Museum of Arts and Design, New York City, USA
Spencer Museum of Art, Laurence Kansas, USA
Dallas Museum of Art, USA
Bollmann Collection, Wien, Austria
Rian Meseum, Falkenbergs, Sweden
Arkansas Museum of Fine Art, Arkansas, USA
