Shakkei, Borrowed Scenery by Mari Ishikawa

Artist list

Mari Ishikawa

For Ishikawa, kimono fabric serves as her “borrowed scenery” which she embellishes with stones, watch hands, and silver, thus creating a new landscape for her neckpieces and brooches. Ishikawa further conjectures that jewelry itself can serve as “borrowed scenery” for the wearer, or conversely, the wearer may be the “borrowed scenery” for the jewelry. Also included in this show are pieces from Ishikawa’s series (Un)Locked.

Transforming antique skeleton keys, with silk, garnets, and Japanese lacquer, Ishikawa creates arresting pendants symbolic of our current situation. Ishikawa sees hope in the utilitarian object that has opened many doors, noting, “There is no such thing as an endless night… the way is already open, and change has already begun.” With each of her pieces, Ishikawa tells a story and invites the wearer to become a part of it.

Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Mari Ishikawa studied art and jewelry-making in her native country and later earned a diploma from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, where she continues to live and work. Ishikawa has won multiple prestigious international awards and exhibited worldwide. Her pieces are represented in the permanent collections of notable museums throughout the world, including the Museum of Art and Design in New York City, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.


The exhibition is open during gallery hours: Monday through Saturday 11 am – 5 pm or by appointment.