Online Cultural Course PiVOTAL
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Uno Kimie
Indigo dyeing artist
Born in 1953 in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture. Returned to Niihama after finishing college and married there, becoming mother of three. Was working as full-time housewife when husband's illness led her to open dyeing materials shop to support family. Shop was not very successful but dyed works she'd made as hobby became popular. Uno ended up closing shop and going into business as independent indigo dyeing artist.
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Striking Creations Born of Natural Indigo Dye and Original Artistry
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Learns at study session in Tokushima Prefecture that synthetic dyes she's been using are eating away at her body. Resolves to switch completely to natural dyes.
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Studies indigo dyeing based on what she learned at cultural school lessons and from oral instruction in lye fermentation by Tokushima Prefecture intangible cultural property Furusho Riichiro. Launches career as indigo dyeing artist.
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Deploys stunning oeuvre by combining such captivating subjects as coelacanths, jellyfish, giraffes, and zebras with advanced technique, as in double-sided dyeing and transparent effects.
Exhibitions (partial listing)
1982 Exhibits in Ehime Prefectural Art Exhibition
1985 Opens studio in Niihama home
1988 Exhibits in Ehime Prefectural Art Association Autumn Exhibition
1989 Exhibits in Itami International Craft Exhibition (exhibits again in 1990, 1996, and 1998)
1997 Wins grand prize in Ehime Prefectural Art Association Autumn Exhibition
1999 Exhibits in Asahi Modern Craft Exhibition as invited artist
2006 Holds solo exhibition at Gallery Kawanishi in Saijo, Ehime Prefecture (has since held solo exhibitions there every two years)
2007 Holds solo exhibition at Gallery Oishi in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture
2010 Relocates studio as Atelier Yura in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture
2016 Exhibits in 10th Ehime Craft Artists Exhibition at Miura Art Village, Matsuyama, EhimePrefecture (has since exhibiting annually)
Has exhibited at other venues throughout Japan, including Gallery Yori, in Shibuya, Tokyo
