Kumiko is a jeweller and silversmith who is drawn to the traditional Japanese lost wax technique of mitsuro-hikime. She loves the organic nature of the process and the unique lines and expressions it creates in the silver. The slow hand processes, and the sustainable nature of the wax, suit both her nature-inspired designs and her philosophy.
QEST funding will support Kumiko to travel to Japan for a three-week intensive course in mitsuro-hikime with a master silversmith. She will also visit the National Modern Art Museum in Kyoto, and study ancient artefacts created with this technique at Tokyo National Museum. On her return to the UK, she plans to share these skills and widen appreciation of the technique amongst the public here.
