大東高校から世界へ羽ばたくジュエリーアーティスト
大東高校からジュエリーアーティストの道へ
大東高校（現緑風冠）の普通科を卒業し、大学進学するも物足りなさを感じ中退。ものづくりに強く惹かれていたのは紳士服縫製工場を経営する父の影響があった。海外でファッションデザインを学びたい思いで、インターネットを駆使し29歳で留学。イタリアで服飾を、オランダでファッションデザインとジュエリーデザインを学ぶ。その後サンドベルグ美術大学院で応用美術学科を修了。在学中から個展、グループ展など多数開催。
情熱で数々の困難を越える
海外生活の経験はなかったが、大阪人気質に近いと感じたイタリアを初めに選んだのが幸運の始まり。積極的に街なかに出かけカフェやマーケットで会話経験を積み、6か月ほどで日常生活の言葉に不自由しない言語力が身に付いた。オランダに移り住みさらに芸術知識を学ぶ機会が増えるが、講義の特殊性（コンセプト重視）や、日本にはないデザインの構築方法に何度も挫けそうになる。日本に帰らないという『背水の陣』の執念と、持ち前の人に寄り添うコミュニケーション力、芸術に懸ける情熱で幸運を手繰り寄せ、困難を乗り越えてきた。決してあきらめない、「捨てる神あれば拾う神あり」の気持ちを強く持つことが自分の支えになった。
いつでも個性と自信を持って
大学院卒業後も精力的に個展やコンテストに応募しながら芸術の厚みを増していき、５年前にアムステルダムの中心地に芸術仲間15人とともにコレクティブショップ「ThePool」をオープン。それぞれの作品を展示販売する展開を進める。ジュエリー以外の分野にも積極的に活動し、今年は映画製作も手掛ける。 また、「食」への探求心が強いシェフの顔もあり、休日には市内のオーガニックマーケットに出かけ、新鮮な食材を仕入れ腕によりをかけて友人などに料理をふるまうことも。
日本だけでなく世界でもＳＮＳやグローバリゼーションの影響があり、個性や特徴が均一化されてきていると感じる。普遍的に残るのは積み重ねた経験と思考、そこから生まれる自分の個性であり、目指す若い人にはそれを大事にしてほしい。
――世界で活躍するアーティストから、未来を目指す若者への力強いメッセージ。
(Translate to English)
From Daito High School to a Jewelry Artist
After graduating from the general course at Daito High School (now Ryokufukan High School), I entered university but soon felt unfulfilled and decided to drop out. My strong attraction to craftsmanship was influenced by my father, who ran a men’s clothing sewing factory. Driven by a desire to study fashion design abroad, I utilized the internet extensively and, at the age of 29, went overseas to study. I studied fashion in Italy and both fashion and jewelry design in the Netherlands. Later, I completed a master’s degree in Applied Arts at the Sandberg Institute. Even while still in school, I held numerous solo and group exhibitions.
Overcoming Many Challenges with Passion
Though I had never lived abroad before, choosing Italy?where I found the temperament similar to that of people from Osaka?marked the start of my good fortune. By actively going out into the city and engaging in conversations at cafes and markets, I gained enough language skills within six months to live comfortably. After moving to the Netherlands, I had more opportunities to deepen my artistic knowledge, but the focus on conceptual thinking in lectures and the unique design approaches unfamiliar in Japan often made me feel discouraged. However, with a “no turning back” attitude, my natural communication skills that allowed me to connect with people, and my unwavering passion for the arts, I managed to seize opportunities and overcome difficulties. Holding firmly to the belief that “when one door closes, another opens” became my greatest support, and I never gave up.
Always Embrace Your Individuality and Confidence
After graduating from graduate school, I continued to expand my artistic depth by energetically participating in solo exhibitions and contests. Five years ago, together with 15 fellow artists, I opened the collective shop “The Pool” in central Amsterdam, where we exhibit and sell our works. I am also active in fields beyond jewelry and recently ventured into filmmaking.
Additionally, I have a deep passion for food and often visit organic markets in the city on my days off to source fresh ingredients and cook for friends, showcasing my culinary skills.
I feel that, due to the influence of globalization and social media, individuality and unique characteristics are becoming more homogenized not only in Japan but across the world. What remains universally valuable is the accumulation of experience and thought, and the individuality that emerges from it. I hope young people aspiring to similar paths will cherish that above all.
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