A graduate of the Kyoto City University of Art, Japan, Mine TANIGAWA 谷川美⾳ is a contemporary Japanese lacquer artist who has been practising lacquer sculptures in a distinctive style with supple lines and curves.
TANIGAWA had her first solo exhibition outside Japan, titled “Brush”, at The Gallery by SOIL in Hong Kong back to 2018. Prestigious hotels and venues commissioned her to create artworks for their projects, including Narita International Airport JAL First Class Lounge in Chiba, Japan; Agora Kyoto Karasuma Hotel in Kyoto, Japan; Shangri-la Qiantan Hotel in Shanghai, China; and Peninsula Hotel in London, United Kingdom (due to open in 2022/3). She won the "2021 Kyoto City Prize for Young Artist”.
Apart from lacquer sculptures, she has recently designed a series of tableware in collaboration with U-en Art Inc. These lacquer vessels are for everyday use made of Keyaki wood (Japanese Zelkova) and stainless steel, which demonstrate durability, strength and beauty at the same time. Inspired by the form of flower buds, these vessels can be used to serve tea and sake, and the curved form can help to keep the fragrance of the drinks. And the colours are cheerful to look at and presented in a stylish manner.
Short Lacquer Cup (Stripe Pattern in Ivory) by Mine TANIGAWA
The oldest lacquerware discovered dates back to the Warring States period (403-221 B.C.). the craft has been transferred to Japan, Korea, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The value of a piece of lacquerware only begins with the materials used to make it. A high quality piece of lacquerware requires the skills of several different elements: lacquer, layers, core materials, decoration, colours, design and process.
