Akiko Miyake

Fushiginoiroito

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address: 5-40-12 Akazutumi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-0044
date of birth: 1945, Kyoto
education & training 1962-1964 Kyoto Women's University, Domestic Textiles 
1966-1968 Fujikawa College of Art & Design (evening class), Textile 
Design & Illustration 
1982 Hand Spinning, Ms Eileen Chadwick, Somerset 
1994 'Creative Threads', Tokyo Textile Institute
exhibitions: 1969 Degree show, Fujikawa College of Art & Design College
1970 Group exhibition 'Yakanhikou', Kyoto City Museum of Art
'Fushiginoiroito' workshops & exhibition 1996-1998 and 2001
art projects: 

1998 Exhibition Co-ordinator: 'Fukunokai Clothes - Stitching patterns' by six Textile Artists
work experience: 

1964-1968 Mainichi Newspaper, Kyoto.
1988- Tokyo Textile Institute, Assistant Manager.
profile Akiko Miyake works full time at Tokyo Textile Institute, a gallery and study centre that supports a wide range of subjects in Textiles and the Arts and Crafts. This unique institution, founded by her husband Mr Miyake, has consistently pursued a coherent philosophy in their courses, exhibitions and his regular publication -'Arts & Crafts'. Tokyo Textile Institute is a home for many people involved in textiles, including us - 'Fushiginoiroito'.

Mrs Miyake didn't join our group at first, and it was only after seeing her casually wearing one of her own pieces at work, that I invited her to join us. The polished sensitivity with which she controlled the dye process and overall shape immediately impressed me, but such was her lack of confidence in her own work that I had to practically beg her to join us. She still harbours doubts about her knitting technique, but it is hard to miss the massive strides she has taken in developing her own voice and means of expression. As soon as the invitation to come to the 'Knitting & Stitching Show' arrived, she began to work on another piece and it has taken her almost ten months to complete it amidst her busy schedule at the Tokyo Textile Institute, where the doors are rarely closed. It is her way of saying 'thank you' for such a special opportunity.