Tattoo & Plum blossom series. 3. Photograph

Hitomi is an artist using multiple mediums, mainly photography and Japanese calligraphy. She was born in Shizuoka, Japan. Hitomi developed a passion for art as a young child, and started studying Japanese calligraphy seriously at the age of 8. She went to Musashino Art University in Tokyo where she studied photography, painting, drawing, editorial design and three-dimensional works with multi-mediums. After graduation, she worked for a design company as a graphic designer. She then shifted her career to become a commercial photographer with a renowned Japanese photography studio. Her work was featured in major Japanese publications. Hitomi moved to NY to expand her career where she spent 8 years. While working as a commercial photographer, she continued to be active as an artist. In 2013, she was discovered by the Lambert Fine Art Gallery located in the Lower East side of Manhattan, leading to increased projects in the professional artist field. She then found a position at grand artist Takashi Murakami’s kaikai kiki NY office as a chief administrator of the production department. She managed the Gagosian gallery show’s production department. She also dealt with procurement of production materials, transportation of art work, daily photography, managing the assistant painters team and HR matters. Hitomi now lives in Tokyo, focusing on using traditional Japanese objects for artwork. About Her Production Style She uses traditional Japanese material with traditional skills such as washi (handmade paper), sumi ink, gold leaf, calligraphy with Japanese paint, and natural products such as wood, silk and cotton fabric. Using Japanese materials and skills are the best way to exemplify her uniqueness. The feeling of the fine texture and smell of Sumi ink makes her comfortable, and helps expand her ideas. She dexterously handles delicate Japanese materials. Japanese art demands a advanced level of craft, and Hitomi commands this attention to detail. Hitomi also handwrites Buddhist sutras, a custom which has a 1500-year history in Japan. She likes writing these because of her love of Japanese literature. She was taught by three different Japanese calligraphy teachers throughout her life, and as a result can write Sousho, Heian kana (from 1200 years ago) in addition to Kaisho. Writing in Sousho and Heian kana is a rare skill. In terms of photography, she has a background in both analogue and digital skills.