Yuka Taniai sees the act of dressing up as wearing light, and explores the expression of light using unique contemporary materials such as acrylic and nylon that utilize transparency and reflection.
While natural or artificial light provides her with a great deal of inspiration for her work, in recent years she has placed particular focus on phenomena such as sunlight, wind, and flowing water.
She applied metalworking techniques to create a three-dimensional structure using her own unique technique of drilling holes and repeatedly threading nylon thread through them.
As the work progresses, the layering of nylon thread represents the “concrete form of time ,” and the process of creation is also part of the work, presenting the wearer with the essence of time.
In addition, focusing on the fact that the human eye and brain recognize light wavelengths as colors, dyeing was incorporated to express the changing phenomena of nature and their traces over time.
By creating works that have no form, and which pass away in an instant, she explores jewelry as fragments that transcend time and space.
BIOGRAPHY
Yuka Taniai was born in Miyazaki, Japan in 1990 and lives in Tokyo.
She completed her master’s degree in metalwork at Musashino Art University, Department of Crafts and Industrial Design in 2015. She enrolled at art university, where she was first introduced to contemporary jewelry. The idea of overturning fixed notions of material value led her to begin creating jewelry using alternative, non-metal materials.
After completing her master’s degree, worked as a staff member at an arts and crafts gallery for four years while exhibiting her work. After retiring, began working as an artist.
She sees the act of dressing up as wearing light, and explores the expression of light using unique contemporary materials such as acrylic and nylon that utilize transparency and reflection.
In recent years, She has expanded her interpretation of light and incorporated colorful staining. In her latest works, she adjusts the dye formulation and shading more than ever before. She is expanding her range of expression.In 2020, She created the “moment” (2020-) series, inspired by the Hojoki: Visions of a Torn World by Kamo no Chomei. This series of jewelry was created as a key to become aware of the connection between the time in which Kamo no Chomei lived and the Corona Vortex.
CV
Yuka TANIAI
Education currently based in Tokyo.
2015 Completed Master's Course in Metalwork, Department of Crafts and Industrial Design, Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan
2013 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Crafts and Industrial Design, Metalwork Course, Tokyo, Japan
1990 Born in Miyazaki, Japan
Solo Exhibition
2025 "Yuka Taniai Exhibition -A Blink of Patina-" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2024 "Yuka Taniai Exhibition -A handful of glimmer-" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
Group Exhibitions・Fair・Event
2025 "SHEER JEWELRY EXHIBITION" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2025 "MAD about jewelry 2025" Museum of Arts and Design / New York, USA
2023 "PONCHAN Painting Class 20th Anniversary Exhibition" Miyazaki Prefectural Art Museum, Miyazaki, Japan
2022 "Three FUNs" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2021 "YEAY" mono gallery / Tokyo, Japan
2020 "Tokyo-Barcelona ~WARP~ Tokyo-Barcelona Contemporary Jewelry Exhibition" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo
2019 "Wedding Jewelry Exhibition 2 -My Own Shape-" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2018 "Jewelry Connecting Hearts and Minds Exhibition" Gallery Yumi / Shizuoka, Japan
2018 "Japan Jewelry Exhibition" Gallery Nutida Svenskt Silver / Stockholm, Sweden
2017 "SHIBUYA STYLE vol.11" Seibu Shibuya Art Gallery / Tokyo, Japan
2017 "TOCOHA COLLCT "Art and Life" Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Kogei Salon / Tokyo, Japan
2017 "BLACK AND WHITE craft and jewelry exhibition" Kichijoji mono gallery / Tokyo, Japan
2016 "Wai-Gaya Exhibition - My Favorite ... ~" Tachikawa ArtRoom Shinkigen / Tokyo, Japan
2016 "TOCOHA COLLECT "VIVID"" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2016 "Craft Girls" mAAch March Ecute Kanda Manseibashi / Tokyo, Japan
2016 "Jewelry and BOX Exhibition" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2016, 2017, 2018 "Botton-Inspiration vol.10, 11, 12" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2016 "TOCOHA COLLECT" art space morgenrot / Tokyo, Japan
2015 "Exposition des boutons" Galerie Hayasaki / Paris, France
2015 "New jewellery Artist Exhibition -SELECT14-" Ginza AC,GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2014 "Futsuka Exhibition" Vessel Studio TRY / Tokyo, Japan
2014 "RICH ~Four Jewelry Artists Exhibition" ART IN GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2014 "Musasabi Exhibition" Art Space Iro-sora / Miyazaki, Japan
2014 "Musashino Art University Japan Master's Course Metalwork Exhibition" Hsinchu University of Education Sze 'ze Bunsoo Shop / Taiwan
2013, 2015 "Musashino Art University Graduation Works Exhibition 2013,2015" Musashino Art University, Aoyama Spiral / Tokyo, Japan
2011 "Planet Exhibition" Annesse bona / Tokyo, Japan
Awards
2025 "2025 ITAMI International Jewellery Exhibition" / Itami Hyogo, Japan Selected
2022 "The 32nd 2022 Japan Jewelry Exhibition" / Ueno Tokyo, Japan Selected
Publications
2021 Interview corner “The Creator” for the magazine “JEWEL”. (Spring Vol.519) published by Reine Publication on April 1, 2021.