Hiroko Sato-Pijanowski (née Hiroko Sato; January 1, 1942) is a Japanese jewelry designer, artist, author and educator. Sato-Pijanowski is credited with introducing Japanese materials and techniques to American metal working.[1] She is based in Yokohama in Kantō, Japan.
Hiroko Sato-Pijanowski | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hiroko Sato January 1, 1942 Tokyo, Japan |
| Education | California State University, Northridge |
| Alma mater | Rikkyo University, Cranbrook Academy of Art |
| Spouse | Eugene Pijanowski (m. 1968–2008; divorce) |
Early life
editHiroko Sato-Pijanowski was born in Tokyo, Japan on January 1, 1942. Her father was a doctor who painted as a hobby,[1] and he introduced her to art. Sato-Pijanowski studied Japanese history at Rikkyo University in Tokyo, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1964.[1][2] She moved to the United States to continue her education and study art, and initially attended California State University at Northridge, studying jewelry design. She moved to the metalworking program at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she earned her M.F.A. degree in 1968.[1]
In 1968, she married fellow Cranbrook Academy of Art student, Eugene Michael Pijanowski.[1] After their marriage in 1968, Sato-Pijanowski and her husband established a collaborative art practice that lasted four decades.[1]
Career
editAfter Eugene graduated from Cranbrook Academy of Art, the couple moved to Japan where Hiroko built a Jewelry design business, Gene Limited, while Eugene studied at Tokyo University of the Arts.[3] In 1972, Hiroko and Eugene returned to the United States. Hiroko continued making and selling jewelry, renaming her business Hiro Limited.[3]
In 1978, they both began teaching at the University of Michigan and worked there until retirement.[4][3]
Sato and her husband's work was largely created jointly and bears both their names. From 1985 to 1988, Sato-Pijanowski made a series of oversized, wearable works out of paper and foils using a technique called mizuhiki.[5] They were inspired by Mokume-gane, a Japanese traditional mixed-metal laminate process that creates a wood grain-look to the metal; they brought this technique to the United States and created a new polymer Mokume-gane bonding process.[6][7] She has authored many articles on the topic of Japanese metalsmithing.
They were jointly elected Fellows of the American Craft Council in 2000.[1][8]
Personal life
editIn 1968, she married Eugene Michael Pijanowski,[1] he commonly went by the name Gene Pijanowski. They got divorced in 2008[9] and Sato-Pijanowski returned to Japan.
Collections
edit- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Houston, Texas[10]
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston, Massachusetts[11]
- Museum of Arts and Design, New York City, New York[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "Hiroko Sato-Pijanowski". American Craft Council. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Metalsmithing Artists in Guest Exhibition At Craft Gallery". Newspapers.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 4 September 1975. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
- ^ a b c "Oral history interview with Hiroko Sato Pijanowski, 2003 May 13-15". Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. 2003. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
- ^ The President's Report to the Board of Regents for the Academic Year. Vol. 1. University of Michigan. University of Michigan Libraries. 1981. p. 6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Koplos, Janet; Metcalf, Bruce (2010-07-31). Makers: A History of American Studio Craft. University of North Carolina Press. p. 436. ISBN 978-0-8078-9583-2.
- ^ Lopez, Ana M. (2009-04-30). Metalworking through History: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-313-05616-1.
- ^ Picarello, Julie (2013-03-20). Patterns in Polymer: Imprint and Accent Bead Techniques. Kalmbach Books. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-62700-067-3.
- ^ "Art and Design duo recognized by American Craft Council". ns.umich.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ^ "Gene Pijanowski - About the Artist - Vitae". www.genepijanowski.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
- ^ "Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: Hiroko Sato Pijanowski". Retrieved 2021-05-12.
- ^ "Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Hiroko Sato Pijanowski". Retrieved 2021-05-12.
- ^ "Oh! I am Precious No.3". collections.madmuseum.org. Retrieved 2021-11-02.