Born in Tokyo, Japan, and now based in Singapore, Naoko Yoshizawa creates jewelry by combining two materials with opposing characteristics. In her works, the hardness of silver balances the softness of washi, a unique paper made using traditional Japanese techniques. Yoshizawa hand-dyes the washi, utilizing one of the characteristics of paper—its ease of processing into a variety of colors and shapes. She then binds the dyed paper, maximizing the texture to create the final piece. In Japan, washi is used to make furniture and toys, among many other things, and it therefore has a deep connection with Japanese life. The artist says, “This seemingly fragile and tough material with an organic feel has unlimited possibilities, which stirs my imagination and desire to create.”
