biography
artistic statement
I have heard that a knitted piece is alive — it grows and contracts. But as I practice my art, I have also come to realize that each loop has life, like a cell, and when I knit I am combining these cells to create a whole organism.
Because of this, the spirit of each piece depends on how I feel. A piece is happy or calm based on my mood and my condition as I think the cells of this knitted life.
In the same way, I feel the spirit of the piece will be transferred to the person who wears it. I believe that happy sweaters will bring happiness to the soul inside.
I use a hand-loomed knitting machine, intarsia technique, hand-tailored, and knit with natural fibers such as 100% cotton, wool, mohair, silk or paper.
education & professional experience
present
Knitwear creator, Madison, WI, U.S.A.
2018 - present
Artful Home artist
1991
Established Kaoru Izushi Knit Design
1986 - 89
Worked for FDC Products Co.Ltd, apparel company, Tokyo, Japan
1986
Graduated from Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan
Majored in Apparel Design
exhibitions
2019,22
The American Craft Exposition / Chicago, IL
2020
One Creator Corner / Rafu,Japanese teas cafe & gallery Saitama,Japan
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show / Virtual
2019
HandMade In Japan Fes' / Tokyo Big Sight
Tokyo,Japan
2018
Akiko Wada Art Hobby Expo / SEIBU Department Store SHIBUYA Tokyo,Japan
2014 - 18, 22
Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show / Washington, DC
2012, 15, 16
Musashino Art University Alumni Exhibition / New York, NY
2012
Washington Craft Show / Washington, DC
2011, 19
Smithsonian Craft Show / Washington, DC
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show / Philadelphia, PA
2010, 16
HIATUS at HYART Gallery / Madison, WI
2009, 11
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Denver, CO
2006, 07, 15 - 18
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair THE ORIGINAL / Ann Arbor, MI
2002 - present
American Craft Council Shows / Atlanta, GA / Baltimore, MD / San Francisco, CA / Sarasota, FL / St. Paul, MN
1999 -
Saint Louis Art Fair / Saint Louis, MO
1995 - present
Art Fair on the Square / Madison,WI
Lakefront Festival of Arts / Milwaukee, WI
1993, 95
Suika no kai / Ayumi Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
1992
Visualization Realization / Gallery of Design, University of Wisconsin-Madison