We Dream When We Don’t Sleep by Jiro Kamata and Zhipeng Wang

Artist list

Jiro Kamata, Zhipeng Wang

Jiro Kamata is one of the most successful artists in translating contemporary jewelry into commercial practice. The materials he employs in his creations range from glass, mirrors, dichroic lenses, to the widely recognized recycled camera lenses. Through his sustained exploration of the optical and reflective properties of lenses, he transforms his works into wearable “light and color collectors,” allowing viewers to perceive the mystery and poetry of their surroundings through mirrored reflections and the iridescent light refracted by the lenses.

Zhipeng's expression of his work is closely tied to his choice of materials—from coffee and tea, daily beverages in both Eastern and Western cultures, to jade, a material deeply embedded in Chinese history and culture. These materials are interpreted and reshaped through his unique perspective, serving as the core medium for his exploration of identity, memory, and materiality. Zhipeng delves deeply into both traditional and contemporary contexts, drawing and refining his artistic language from the cultural soil of both the East and the West.


The two artists graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts Munich in 2006 and 2024 respectively. Zhipeng worked as an assistant at STUDIO JIRO KAMATA for two years. Although they come from different generations, their relationship is one of both mentor and friend. Jiro's relentless pursuit of craftsmanship in his work has undoubtedly had a significant influence on Zhipeng. Here's a short sidebar story — and also one of the hidden gems of this exhibition.

This March, the two artists and I met at Jiro's studio in Munich to discuss the exhibition plans. That day, I had been setting up an exhibition at the Messe convention center, and by the time I made it to the studio, it was already late at night. The three of us looked utterly exhausted. But in that moment, we all seemed to silently agree that this title was just right. During the jewelry week—the busiest, most taxing time of the year for everyone—we sleep very little, yet feel oddly clear-headed. Each of us knows exactly what we are pushing ourselves to the brink for.
May everyone have good dreams both when they sleep and when they don’t—and seize them while they can.


A short interview with the artists:

Q: How do you manage to stay in "fight mode" (constantly striving) all the time?
Jiro: There are a few reasons why I stay motivated. I'm curious about the limits of my own work. Jewelry remains at the core of what I do, but as an artist, I have the freedom to create anything. That freedom has led me to experiment with other types of work and take on new challenges—and those challenges are a powerful source of motivation.
Since 2020, my studio has been operating as a team. Collaboration allows us to achieve what none of us could alone. At the same time, I carry the responsibility of maintaining the studio's financial stability and shaping its future direction. Running and growing the team and the studio isn't easy, but that responsibility itself is a huge motivator.

Zhipeng: Ten years ago, when I first started studying jewelry art at the China Academy of Art, I had a dream. I didn't yet know where the peaks of this field were, but I wanted to push myself as far as I could. Along the way, I've had moments of doubt, hesitation, and even thoughts of giving up—but that dream has always kept me going.
As I've drawn closer to that dream, my goal has quietly shifted—from pursuing personal achievement to hoping to amplify the voice of contemporary Chinese jewelry art on the international stage. An individual's strength may be small, but I'm fortunate to have a group of like-minded companions on this journey. Because of that, this dream is no longer just a personal obsession—it has become a shared direction, and that makes me want to keep investing myself in it and move forward with determination.


Q: What does jewelry mean to you?
Jiro: My work often stems from personal experiences and the moments that move me, collected during my travels. I crystallize those moments, give them form, and turn them into jewelry. So for me, jewelry means "the condensation of emotion."

Zhipeng: Jewelry is a part of my life. My work, my daily life, and even my social circles are all closely tied to jewelry art. And it's because of jewelry that I've been able to travel to different countries and cities, connect with people from around the world, and gradually learn to understand this world from a more open and inclusive perspective.


Q: Is there anything you'd like to say to the other artist?
Jiro: The first time I met Zhipeng in Munich, he wasn't the strongest. But he had a clear desire to become the best, and he was willing to put in the work. That attitude has stayed with him. He may not have reached his goal yet, but the gap is getting smaller. Step by step, he's moving forward—and just being able to witness that process is very rewarding.
Zhipeng, please keep giving it everything you've got—even push past the point where you think you're completely spent. I believe that's the only way to turn a dream into reality.

Zhipeng: Around 2017 or 2018, I first saw your Lens series through the media, and it left a deep impression on me. Then in November 2020, shortly after arriving in Munich, I was on a aimless walk and happened to step into the Galerie der Bayerischen Handwerkskammer—where your solo exhibition was on view. That was the first time I truly saw your work in person.
Later, by chance, I became your assistant. We went from strangers to familiar faces, and every year we share our New Year's resolutions with each other, watching each other grow without even realizing it. Now, I'm about to enter my tenth year in this field, and you're about to step into your thirtieth year of creating. I look forward to reuniting with you in Beijing—and to telling new stories together.
 
Text editor: Xiao Liang.


Opening: 2026.05.02 (Sat) 15:00-18:00 h.