Yukiko Kakimoto is a contemporary artist.
Her artistic approach is very intuitive; developed in childhood when she would integrate a wide variety of techniques to make her own work. Currently, she dedicates herself to art jewelry creation, mainly focusing on the merging of beautiful, unique Japanese culture with wearable art.
Her creativity originated in Kyoto, where she was born and raised. She was one of those girls who loved to draw, create stories, and use her imagination to make figurative art. With that very creative background, she has eagerly polished her skills and these repetitive efforts have formed her unique style. After graduating Kyoto Bunkyo college, she received a diploma for Japanese traditional Ikebana (flower arrangement) at Kadō Iemoto Ikenobo and flower designing at Mami Flower Design School.
In 1994, she started her career as a bridal flower planner/decorator, flower designer, as well as an aromatherapist. Her works were exhibited at Flower Group Exhibition (Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, etc. in JPN) and many other seminars (Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo in Japan, Shanghai in China, etc.).
From 1999 to 2008, she worked as a gallery director and not only supported Japanese artists, but those from outside countries as well. During that time, her interests and various experiences expanded from flower arrangement to “Plastic Art,” in which she was able to use materials more freely.
In 2015, she had to take a break from her work because of family matters, but she never stopped creating during these trying times. She found herself making more art in her daily life, which ultimately gave her new inspiration. It seemed that everything that happened in the past had reasons, as if fate led her to the world of “creating jewelry.” These works of jewelry were surely born from the vast knowledge and experiences she gained in the past decades.
The “Heart,” as in one’s emotions, have always inspired her because that is something one cannot touch or see--so fragile and uncertain. She frequently asks herself the question, “How would something profound, beyond the beauty an ornament holds, affect our heart?” Her pursuit lies in knowing the infinite possibilities art can carry.
In the present, she takes pleasure in the experience of being chosen as a showcasing artist and sharing her selected works at European art fairs or International exhibitions.
Photo by Mercês Tomaz Gomes
We are part of nature.
As you know, there are many environmental issues around us as we live on this planet. We have lost so much through wars and natural disasters, but this has made us stronger. Just like nature changes as we speak, we change as time passes. We belong to nature, and with the idea reflected in my work, I “speak” with nature and expect its grace. All of my work, I believe, after worn out by their holders, will go back to the earth, just like we humans will do the same. I dedicate myself to the world of creation with love, passion and prayer.