MAIMIYAKE -GET 2 KNOW HER-

"Whenever I begin the process of creating work for a new exhibition, I always start by looking at the space, the landscape, the season, and the people of the place where I'll be displaying my work.
This is the first time I'll be exhibiting in a land I've neither seen nor visited before.
So, from the various creative sources I have within me, I have chosen one that most closely intersects with the exhibition's theme of "Express." We, the Japanese people, live in a small land of high temperature and high humidity and we've always used screens and sliding doors made of paper of varying thickness to control space, light, the effects of the seasons, and even our mental state.
It may be just a piece of paper, but it makes all the difference in the world. That's kind of how I feel about my work. Japan's beloved comic book character Doraemon has a magical tool called the"Docodemo Door (Anywhere Door)," which takes you to anyplace you want just by opening the door.
Such a concept of temporal and spatial transportation has had a long tradition in the Japanese imagination and DNA."

By Asai Toshihiro

A work of Miyake Mai is “Japanese painting” of a new style that can blend, without incongruity, into a room of a fashionable condominium or contemporary space constructed with new building materials. On the assumption that Japanese paintings have been made to fit traditional Japanese style houses while Western paintings have been designed for the walls of Western style houses or galleries, paintings of a new style made to fit present Japanese housing appeared for the first time.

“A Year,” the main work in this exhibition that was shown at Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art is now displayed in Japan for the first time. What is rare about this work is that she did not intend it for a private house but for a grand space like a museum. The motif of this work is, as the title refers to, celestial animals presiding over Heaven’s four quarters as people believed both in China and Japan; blue dragon, red bird, white tiger, and black tortoise. Those four animals (four gods) preside over the pillars (east, south, west, and north), and respectively symbolizes colors of blue, red, white, and black, as well as seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter. At the same time, they correspond respectively to the elements of water, fire, wind, and earth. In “A Year,” four paintings placed in respective color of mountings are arranged in the order of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Looking through a hole made in a painting, one can see the element and celestial animal of the next season. For instance, peeping at the autumn painting through a hole in the summer painting, one can see a white tiger. As the hole is made in the part of flames in the picture of summer, the tiger appears to be jumping through a fire ring. She does not forget to provide such carefully prepared tricks.

A trick or playfulness is a distinguished feature in her work. In the painting “God Dog” among the works in this exhibition, the part of a hole is cut off, and it is painted as if money were coming out of that hole. In reference to money, real five-yen coins are used as hanging-scroll weight (fuuchin). In case of “Old Flame,” the flames in the painting look as if they were burning fuutai, the cloth sewn to the upper crosspiece. She uses everything as a medium for expression including the formal mounting such as fuuchin and ichimonji(the narrow strips of cloth used in the horizontal areas immediately above and below the painting or calligraphy).

Thus, her ways of expression, choice of motif or theme, form of expression such as a scroll or a folding screen, excellent use of blank space, flat-looking painting, bold outlines, season-oriented display, way of making analogies, playing on words, etc. are relative to the traditional aspects of Japanese style painting, and yet there is a well balanced contemporary taste in her expression. She remarked, “Frankly speaking, I am probably unbalanced. But, now I’ve found a way to express myself, I think I’m a little better balanced.” (“Welcome Home / The works of Mai MIYAKE” published by Gallery HAN) Still, a sense of balance is impressive in her as an artist as well as in her works.

This also holds true for various artist-related goods included in the exhibition. Artist’s goods, in many cases, carry the artist’s excessive self-consciousness. Miyake’s goods are, by contrast, pleasant with her playfulness and attention paid to the maker’s intention. She shows exquisite balance between her “art” and “consumer goods.”

Contemporary art tends to go against tradition or forms as its purpose, but Miyake surmounted the difficulty, without hesitation, while preserving forms to create her new style. In that sense, it is better for us to understand that a new generation of contemporary artists has appeared, rather than a new style of Japanese painting has.

Asai Toshihiro / Senior curator, ContemporaryArtCenter, Art Tower Mito
text translated by Nishizawa Miki
text quoted from the brochure for the exhibition "Criterium 65", Oct 5 2005.

[2008]
Apr.4 - Apr. 6 (Preview on Apr. 3)
"ART FAIR TOKYO 2008"
Venue: Tokyo International Forum

[2007]
November
Setagaya Art Hyakka 2007
Seeds of Art "Create the World"
Organizer: Setagaya Art Museum

Sep. 1 - Sep. 30
"EDO-ISHO GINZA HANDS EXHIBITION"

Aug. 22 - Sep. 1
Group Exhibition "HAKO NINGEN"
Venue: Gallery Kogure

Aug. 16 - Aug. 19
"When U Wish Upon A Star" On the road
Venue: Hakone GORAKADAN

Jul. 29 - Aug. 12
"Le Monde de Coco" by Contemporary Artists
Venue: Channel Nexus Hall in Ginza

Jul. 2 - Jul. 14
"When U Wish Upon A Star"
Venue: sake KYOKA

May. 17 - Jul. 14
exhibition at Helmes window : see details

Apr. 24 - Apr. 29
"Vol.1 DEBLI+ARTLABO+"
Venue: Gellery LE DECO

Apr. 10 - Apr. 12
"LUNAPARK"
Venue: ART FAIR TOKYO, Tokyo International Forum, Hall 1

Feb. 6 - Apr. 8
Exhibition of "Introductory" Business Cards
Venue: Printing Museum, Tokyo

Mar. 20 - Mar. 26
"MAISTER MEETS DESIGNER"
Venue: Gallery le bain

[2006]
Dec. 27 - Jan. 9, 2007
"one fine day"
Venue: Bunkamura Gallery

Sep. 5 - Oct. 5
"OSOROI"
Venue: NIKI GALLERY SAKU

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29
Group Exhibition "TOUMEI NINGEN"
Venue: Nagoya Matsuzakaya Department Store

May 13 - Jun. 10
And A presents "INSIDE OUT"

Apr. 1 - Apr. 12
Spring Exhibition "SAKURA SAKU"
Venue: BALS STORE unwrap

Mar. 31 - Apr. 2
"SPRING COMES SHE WILL"
Venue: TOOBI, Tokyo Art Club

[2005]
Oct. 1 - Dec. 4
"Criterium 65"
Venue: ART TOWER MITO

Sep. 17 - Nov. 27
Venue: learn from nature and purse art & Culture

Aug. 6 - Aug. 8
Venue: ART FAIR TOKYO, Masuho Art, Gallery Kogure Booth

May 9 - May 21
Venue: Murakoshi Garou / Han Garou

Apr. 9 - Apr. 24
[express]Shanghai
Venue: Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art www.duolunart.com
http://www.hexaproject.com/ch/exhibition/concept.html

Jan. 1 - Jan. 10
Venue: Fujiyama Museum

{2004]
December
"CAT IN THE BOX"
Venue: Gallery Beaux-arts Mieux

October
Group Exhibition "BELIVE"
Venue: Rocket Gallery, Aoyama

August
"TIME FOR TEA"
Venue: Bunkamura Gallery

February
"MY ROOM"
Venue: LAPNET SHIP, Laforet Harajuku

[2003]
November
Venue: Printemps GINZA

November
"SPACE FORUM 3 WOMEN 3 WORKS"
Venue: Nakameguro Space Force

August
"index Dugong Chain - Action T shirt"
Venue: Laforet Museum

March
"LOVE FOR SALE"
Venue: Minamiaoyama PIGA 1+2

[2002]
August
"Nagomineko"
Venue: Printemps GINZA

July
Venue: Gallery Beaux-arts Mieux

July
Venue: Shinjuku Takashimaya

June
Venue: Osaka Maruzen

[2001]
December
Group Exhibition
Venue: Shinjuku M

September
Art Fair
Venue: Printemps GINZA

July
Venue: Gallery Beaux-arts Mieux

[2007]
Sep. 18 issued "MACPOWER" magazine, October edition
'Ask creators if you are looking for a book to read'

Sep.1 issued "spurluxe" magazine, Autumn edition
'Choujyu-jimbutsu-giga (beasts, birds, people drawings)'

"Japan Sumsung Cultural Magazine"
'Meet a nice person'

Aug.21 issued "New Scape - Strange scape of a city" magazine
Publisher: Seibundo Shinkou sha
(136 pages, JPY1,890, ISBN 978-4-416-80701-9)

Jul. 24 issued "zino" magazine, September edition
p167 'OTOKOMAE Art Seminar - Hermes is a friend of an artist'
(Window display at Hermes (May - July, 2007) was featured.)

Jul. 24 issued "UOMO" magazine
p124 'Personal Concierge'
Publisher: Shuei sha

Jun. 1 issued "PEN" magazine, 6/15 edition, featuring Edo design
p80 'Emerging creators succeeding traditions'
Publisher: Hankyu Communications

Apr. 24 issued "BRIO" magazine, June edition
Publisher: Koubun sha

Apr.24 issued "zino" magazine, June edition
'OTOKOMAE Art Seminar'
Publisher: KI&Company

Apr. 20 issued "Art Top" magazine, May edition
interview
Publisher: Geijyutsu Shimbun sha

Feb. 6 issued "WARAKU" magazine, March edition
'Waraku Sabou' Mubyou Sokusai (Six Gourds for Bringing Good Health) was featured.
Publisher: Shougakukan

Feb. 1 published "Warriors of Japanese Art - English version"
Author: Yumi Yamaguchi
Publisher: Koudan sha International
ISBN-13: 978-4770030313 JPY3,675

Jan. 24 issued "Nikkei Design" magazine, February edition
Publisher: Nikkei BP

[2006]
Dec. 18 issued "Mac POWER" magazine, February edition
'TREND FORECAST 2007'
Publisher: Ascii

Dec. 10 issued "Gainer" magazine, January 2007 edition
'Indulgence of Art' by Yumi Yamaguchi
Publisher: Koubun sha

Dec. 7 issued "FUJINGAHO" magazine, January edition
'MONTHLY ART NAVI' by Yuji Yamashita
Publisher: Hachette Fujingaho

Nov. 20 issued "THE WINDOW OF ARTS" magazine, December edition
Publisher: Seikatsu no Tomo Co.

Jul. 23 issued "BITEKI" magazine
Publisher: Shougakukan

Apr. 20 updated "SALUS" web magazine

Apr. 1 issued "TOKIO STYLE" magazine
Publisher: Kanazawa Club

Mar. 27 issued "Illustration" magazine No.159
Publisher: Genkou sha

[2005]
Dec. 20 issued "POOKA" magazine, Vol. 13
Publisher: Gakken

Nov. 15 issued "BRUTUS" magazine, No. 582
Shopping edition, p126
Publisher: Magazine House

Oct. 20 issued "THE WINDOW OF ARTS" Monthly magazine, November edition
Publisher: Seikatsu no Tomo Co.

Sep. 15 Asahi Shimbun (newspaper)
interview

Sep. 15 Chugoku Shimbun (newspaper)
interview

Jun. 20 issued "THE WINDOW OF ARTS" Monthly magazine, July edition
Publisher: Seikatsu no Tomo Co.

Jun. 18 issued "Mac POWER" magazine, July edition
Publisher: Ascii

May 2 issued "Popular Science Japan" magazine, June issue

Apr. 1 issued "TOKIO STYLE" magazine, May/June edition
Publisher: Kanazawa Club

Mar. 19 issued "THE WINDOW OF ARTS" Monthly magazine, July edition
Publisher: Seikatsu no Tomo Co.

[2004]
November "SOEN" magazine, January edition
'200 New talents of 2004'

August "Gainer" magazine, September edition
Publisher: Koubun sha

August "SPUR" magazine
'Editor's choice'
Publisher: Shueisha

April "COOL JAPAN" magazine
Publisher: BNN Shinsha http://www.bnn.co.jp/

March "Monthly BIJYUTSU"
'Print Art'

February "BRUTUS" magazine
Publisher: Magazine House

【Symbol Design Creation】Atoms for Peace Prize
Official website：http://iisp.jp/atom_ceremonyiaea.html
Commemorative medal created by MAI MIYAKE was presented to DG, Dr. Mohamed Elbaradei at Austrian Center/IAEA on Sept. 19, 2007

【Workshop】Setagaya Art Hyakka 2007
Seeds of Art "Create the World"
Organizer: Setagaya Art Museum
Nov. 10, 2007

【Book cover design】 "KAREKI NI HANAGA"
Author: Oniroku DAN
Publisher: basilico (ISBN：978-4-86238-053-1)
Issued date: Aug. 10, 2007
Expected price: JPY1,680 (Incl. tax)

【Window Display】HERMES GINZA
Date: May 17 - July 14, 2007
http://www.maimiyake.com/exhibition/0705_hermes.html

【Book】Ryunosuke AKUTAGAWA Short Stories
Compiled by Jay Rubin / Introduction by Haruki Murakami
Publisher : Shincho sha
Issued date: June 29, 2007
Price: JPY1,500

【Other】 Talk Session "SAKAI PODCASTS"
Date: November 25, 2006
Venue: Apple Store Ginza
Host: Naoki Sakai
Conceptor: WATER STUDIO／waterdesignscope

【Product】Fukumitsuya×MAI MIYAKE　Premium Japanese sake
brewed from the finest rice "Mubyou Sokusai (Six Gourds for Bringing Good Health)"
On sale: December 27, 2006
Bottle design: Kutani sake bottle
Netsuke (Obi clip) design: bronze or brass

【Magazine】"THE WINDOW OF ARTS" Monthly magazine December 2006 edition
Cover page and special article
Publisher: Seikatsu no Tomo Co.

【Book】"Bakin no Yome"
Author: Yoko Mure
Book cover design: November, 2006
Publisher: Kodansha

【Book】"Tanabe Seiko no Enpitsu Kakitori Hyakunin Isshu"
Author: Seiko Tanabe
Book cover design: September, 2006
Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten

【Magazine】Mac POWER August 2006 edition
"Books for creators selected by creators"
Publisher: Ascii

【Magazine】WARAKU July edition
"Summer of Edo"
Issued: June, 2006
Publisher: Shougakukan

【Web】Intel "The Box"site
Oriental Zodiac wallpaper series

【Magazine】Mac POWER
Serial essay from December, 2005 to June, 2006
Publisher: Ascii

【Magazine】TOKIO STYLE　"Tokyo Days by Hayashiya Shozo"
Illustrations for five issues from February 2006

【Book】"Yotte Iitai Yoru mo Aru"
Author: Mitsuyo Kakuta
Book cover design: August, 2005
Publisher: Ohta Publishing Co.

【Book】"In Praise of Slowness" Japanese translation
Author: Carl Honore
Book cover design: June, 2005
Publisher: Sony Magazines

【Other】 2004 JOMO Fairy Tale Award
"Bouquet of Fairy Tales" Cover illustration

【Other】 "Soup Stock" Ueno Station shop

【Other】 Marui Department Store
Illustrations for Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day
April to June, 2004
http://www.maimiyake.com/whatshe/marui.html

【Other】 Illustration Design of Children's wear
Double name with United Arrows Green Label
2004 - 2006
http://www.united-arrows.co.jp/

【Other】MAI MIYAKE Custom Cover Jacket for NTT DoCoMo P900i mobile phone
FOMA P900i (900i series)
Panasonic (Panasonic Mobile Communications)