Maki Mizuno

Born in Shiga Prefecture, Maki Mizuno graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Crafts at Kyoto City University of Arts in 2017, with a specialization in urushi lacquer. Her work blends traditional Japanese craftsmanship with a contemporary artistic sensibility — pieces that are at once timeless and quietly expressive.

Her creative practice ranges from delicate watercolors inspired by the natural beauty of Japan to sculptural artworks using urushi lacquer and traditional decorative techniques such as raden (mother-of-pearl inlay). Drawing on her painting background, she brings a refined visual harmony to her kintsugi creations, treating each restored vessel not simply as a recovered object but as a work of art in its own right — rich in feeling and depth.

Her signature lies in the interplay of vibrant color and the deep black of urushi lacquer, creating contrasts that do more than captivate the eye — they invite the viewer to pause, reflect, and engage on a deeper level. Through her work, Mizuno continues to encourage introspection, inviting each person to reconsider their everyday emotions, perceptions, and the subtle beauty found in the passage of time.