Meet the maker: Japanese culture and jewellery with Koji Miyazaki.
Koji Miyazaki’s cultural background is an important part of his jewellery-making practice
Christchurch jewellery maker Koji Miyazaki looks to his Japanese heritage when he’s in the studio creating his intricate pieces, from the materials and techniques he uses through to his motifs and designs. The founder and director of Form Gallery likes to work almost exclusively with natural materials including silver, gold, pearls, wood and sometimes sand – elements that work well together either contrasting or harmonising in colour or tactility. The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi is also an important part of his work and everyday life. He describes it as “balance and harmony, a mixture of old and new techniques and thinking about negative things in a positive way”. Koji singles out the Cherry Blossom Sakura brooch as one of his favourite jewellery pieces because he loves the story of the lifespan of the iconic Japanese tree. “It stores and builds up energy all year to only release it for a short time,
displaying all it can, and then fades away beautifully.” Thinking about what 2020 might bring is on his mind as he works on his new origami jewellery series that started with an exhibition last year alongside pieces for the various galleries that represent him throughout New Zealand.
My favourite things are travelling with my husband Andrew and our friends, seeing cultural differences and what’s out there in our world. Favourite destinations include Japan, Bali and Thailand (1). I like to explore new foods and prepare meals for myself and loved ones – I make healthy Japanese beef tataki salads a lot (2). Form Gallery has been a huge part of my life for nearly 30 years and is another way to be creative (3). I like a glass (or two) of red wine after a long work day (4).
See more at form.co.nz/koji-miyazaki.