Kei Tominaga
Kei Tominaga is London Based artist, originally from Tokyo.
She studied metal sculpture and smithing at the Tokyo University for Art and Music . After completing her masters she started to experiment with product design in order to bring her work to a wider audience. In addition to designing several solo contemporary product collections, Tominaga has previously collaborated with several global architects and designers. Her latest work of jewellery, silverware and metalworks are a departure from her product design background, she brings the lightness, and also textures, of paper to her unique designs in precious metals.
"I like to work with sheet metals, especially soft metals such as silver, gold, copper and iron. They are much better and more flexible than we generally think they are, so I work with metal exactly as I work with other everyday materials such as paper or fabric,” says Tominaga.
"I cut, bend, fold, curve and stick them together, narrowing down the techniques in the process so the result is as simple as possible. I think it gives the object a strength that is simple and pure. I like sharp, straight edges just like folded paper. Completely flat faces or tightly curved edges give my work strength and tension.”
冨永 桂
1966年東京生まれ。1986年～1992年まで、東京芸術大学鍛金学科に在学し、金属彫刻を主に制作発表。大学院修了後はアクリルやゴム、MDFやボイドなど工業素材を作品に取り入れて素材の幅を広げていく。家具の制作を頼まれたことをきっかけに、プロダクトデザイナーとしても活躍を始める。
人が関わることで完成する実験的な家具、家具を使った生活空間のインスタレーション、他のデザイナー、建築家、また企業とのコラボレーションなど、多岐にわたって活躍。2000年にはFRAME AWARD (Frame Magagine)でインスタレーションアワードを受賞。
2004年イギリスに拠点を移す。セントラルロンドンのスタジオを拠点に、再び金属を主な素材にジュエリーや立体作品の制作活動を開始する。貴金属の持つ従来の重くて重厚なイメージに反して、エンボスされた薄くて軽い貴金属を使用して紙を扱うように制作した作品のシリーズ、また輪ゴムを腕にはめたり、結び目を作るなど日常にありふれた行為にインスパイヤーされてデザインされた作品など、”日常”と”素材”をテーマにした作品を数々制作、発表。
Biography,
Product and Exhibitions
| 2018 | Made London / Marylebone |
| Design Junction / South Bank | |
| "TUKURU" Exhibition at Sway Gallery | |
| 2017 | Design Junction / kings Cross |
| Clerkenwell Design week / st john’s square Design Junction / Kings Cross | |
| 2016 | Handmade in Britin / Chelsea |
| Shapes on fabric at Design Junction / Kings Cross | |
| 2015 | Exhibition in the gallery / Craft Central |
| 2012 | set-up the studio space in central London |
| 2004 | Moved to London, UK |
| Frankfurt LED Extra show - Frankfurt | |
| AKARI TEN - Big Sight - Tokyo | |
| Koo Exhibition - Tokyo EDGY BOX | |
| 2003 | “Basic and Beyond" with Maxray + INAX technical Laboratory - Tokyo |
| 2002 | Exhibition - Saatchi and Saatchi gallery space in Tokyo office |
| “Design 21” started in New York and in other main cities in the world e.g. London, Paris, Milan etc. | |
| “HAT” House as furniture project - Designers Block Tokyo | |
| "3-Designers” - Rapnet Gallery Tokyo …WHITE OUT clock | |
| “ ISU TEN” T.D.W official event …HIMO STOOL | |
| 2000 | “Happening 2000 ” - Saatchi and Saatchi gallery space in Tokyo office ….HE IS IN THE ROOM installations |
| Designers Block Tokyo with Ima -E&Y gallery | |
| 1999 | “Happening 1999 ” -Vision Network Tokyo - with Miyoshi Takayuki ….TABLE UNBALANCED and STACKING CHAIR |
| 1998 | Solo Exhibition / Gallery Le Deco WARP PILLOW |
| 1992 | Completed Master Degree at Tokyo University of Art and Music |