Jiro Kamata’s jewellery reveals the art of the immaterial nature of reflection. This Japanese artist, based in Munich, explores the boundaries between the ordinary and the extraordinary. His creations capture light, reflection and the environment, transforming them to play on perception. Reflection becomes a central element, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Each piece invites the wearer to reflect on how they interact with their surroundings. More recently, his ‘Celestial Eyes’ pieces, crafted from synthetic quartz, transport us to a parallel reality through their holographic effect – an effect often associated with astrology, mythology and spirituality.
Jiro Kamata’s jewellery is distinguished by its innovative use of lenses and mirrors. These elements, often associated with photography, become sensory portals. Light and colour, distorted by reflections, create a constant interaction with the wearer. The polished surface of the lenses amplifies depth and invites tactile and visual exploration. In his ongoing research focusing on materials and optics, the goldsmith and visual artist has patiently developed a type of synthetic quartz lens which generates a three-dimensional effect at its centre, similar to a hologram. The sophisticated techniques employed – combining traditional craftsmanship with reused or innovative materials – transform each piece of jewellery into a unique work of art.
Born in Hirosaki, Japan, in 1978, Jiro Kamata studied gemology and jewellery design in Yamanashi before perfecting his skills at the Pforzheim College of Design. A graduate of the Munich Academy of Fine Arts under Otto Künzli, he combines classical techniques with modern materials. He has been teaching at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts since 2009 and has exhibited internationally, notably in Germany, Japan and the United States.
We exhibited his work for the first time at our ‘Miroir’ exhibition, celebrating the art of reflection, in October 2023.
Visit the artist’s official website Or an interview with him
