Jiro Kamata

Japan/Germany, b. 1978

Jiro Kamata hails from a long family tradition of goldsmithing in Hirosaki, Japan. After training at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich from 2000-2006, Kamata went on to become assistant professor at the same institution until 2015. Jiro has developed a practice in which he applies highly developed techniques to non-traditional materials – primarily lenses of various types, from eyeglasses to camera lenses.

 

In his work, Jiro deals with optical phenomena in connection with the perception of values. He processes found and sometimes used materials into jewellery works that, through their play on reflection, light and colour, explore ‘experienced memory’; only through interaction with them do they attain their value. To wear a Jiro Kamata piece is to enact a performance. Lenses, mirrors, even adhesive tape, offers insights linking the wearer with their environment and querying assumed positions. How do we see the world and how does the world see us?

 

Jiro won the City of Goldsmith Award in Hanau in 2006 and the Förderpreis Award in Munich in 2011. His work is held in collections worldwide, including the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, USA, Die Neue Sammlung, Pinakothek der Moderne Munich, the Victoria & Albert Museum, UK and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. His monograph VOICES was published by Arnoldsche in 2019.

 

 



Bi #1 necklace, 2019, dichroic mirror, high-polished silver, blackened silver

More work by Jiro Kamata

Bi #1 necklace by Jiro Kamata Bi #1 necklace , 2019, dichroic mirror, high-polished silver, blackened silver ,
Bi pendant by Jiro Kamata Bi pendant , 2019, dichroic mirror, camera lens, silver ,
Ghost #5 by Jiro Kamata Ghost #5 , 2017, mirror, quartz coating, silver ,
Shell #7 by Jiro Kamata Shell #7 , 2018, mother of pearl, mirror coating, 18k gold, nylon ,
Shell #10 by Jiro Kamata Shell #10 , 2018, mother of pearl, mirror coating, 18k gold, nylon ,
Bi necklace by Jiro Kamata Bi necklace , 2014, dichroic mirror, silver ,
Bi rings by Jiro Kamata Bi rings , 2018, dichroic mirror, high-polished silver, blackened silver ,
Flare: Sky #6 by Jiro Kamata Flare: Sky #6 , 2019, reconstructed turquoise, 18k gold ,
Akoya #1 by Jiro Kamata Akoya #1 , 2018, Akoya pearls, silver ,
Bi brooch by Jiro Kamata Bi brooch , 2013, dichroic mirror, foil, silver ,
Bi pendant by Jiro Kamata Bi pendant , 2015, dichroic mirror, silver ,
Bi pendants by Jiro Kamata Bi pendants , 2015, dichroic mirror, silver ,
Spiegel necklace by Jiro Kamata Spiegel necklace , 2012, camera lenses, silver, mirror ,
Spiegel brooch by Jiro Kamata Spiegel brooch , 2012, camera lens, silver, mirror, paint ,
Shady pendant by Jiro Kamata Shady pendant , 2006, sunglasses, silver, nylon ,
Palette brooch by Jiro Kamata Palette brooch , 2015, dichroic mirror, corian, silver ,
Sunny pendant by Jiro Kamata Sunny pendant , 2005, laser engraved sunglass lenses, silver ,
Sunny ring by Jiro Kamata Sunny ring , 2005, sunglass lenses, 18k gold ,
Tesa ring by Jiro Kamata Tesa ring , 2000, cellotape, gold plated silver, lipstick ,

Exhibitions

New Edition

April 23 to May 18, 2013

To launch Gallery Funaki’s new interior, we’re pleased to present New Edition; a curated exhibition that explores the multiple/edition in contemporary jewellery.

dark to light to dark

30 June - 1 August 2015

Gallery Funaki presents the work of Japanese artist Jiro Kamata, in dark to light to dark; his first Australian solo exhibition.

Extended Definition

4 February - 2 March, 2019

Jiro Kamata’s investigations of light and reflectivity find new expression in this exhibition, as he presents several new series of works.