Q&A with Mariko Sumioka: ARTS THREAD talent at MOKSPACE East meets West: Art & Design Now!

Meet Mariko Sumioka, a jewellery design from Japan whose incredible work will be exhibited at our Mokspace exhibition East meets West later this month:

ARTS THREAD: Tell us your background and how you became interested in jewellery design
Mariko Sumioka: I grew up in Japan and gained a bachelors degree in Economics before starting my studies at Edinburgh College of Art. I’ve been interested in art and designing since I was a kid and I had a strong interest in accessories, gem stones and jewellery.

AT: Does your cultural heritage play a part in your design process?
MS: As I have grown up in Japan, my sense of art and feeling always comes from my cultural background. I found that Japanese architecture is the most accomplished art form since the ancient times. My inspiration and design developments mainly come from Japanese traditional architecture and the spirit of Zen, in terms of colours, textures and structures.

AT: What will you be showing at Mokspace?
MS: I am exhibition some of my latest brooch and necklace designs. My work has lots of different elements and materials, so I hope people will enjoy my work and my unique approaches to jewellery.

AT: What are you currently working on?
MS: I’m currently artist in residence at Edinburgh College of Art and I am working as a self-employed jeweler. I’m also developing work for my degree show.

East Meets West: Art & Design Now! runs from 24 April – 6 May at Mokspace.