Miyata Asuka / Knitting ’n Stitching Archives.

This is a collection of works from the Minatomachi Handicraft Club, which artist Miyata Asuka has run in Minato Ward, Nagoya since 2017.
 Miyata visited our store while visiting Suzu, where the earthquake struck, and setting up a handicraft club. Using handicrafts as a means of expression, she has set up handicraft clubs all over the country, and is an artist with a very active stance in both her thoughts and actions. This book is filled with her thoughts.
 ＿The following is an excerpt from the publisher's introduction
 This work introduces the works of seven creators in their 60s to 90s who met through the course of their work, over a long period of time, as well as interviews with the creators, an essay by artist Yurie Nagashima, and a commentary by researcher Akiko Yamazaki.
 A dress made for a child, an embroidery piece completed over several years while attending a class, lace knitted absentmindedly, a sweater made from whatever yarn was on hand... What can we gain from the things we have made and treasured for family, loved ones, and ourselves?
 This is a universal book that touches on the culture and practice of handicrafts, a skill that helps us live in the present.
 Their works and stories reveal their insatiable desire to create, what the act of making brings them, and the unique lives and activities of each individual who has walked a path that is closely connected to handicrafts.
 Through this book, I hope to be able to reconsider the concept of "handicrafts," which has until now been associated with a domestic image and trivialized as a hobby activity.
 (From the Introduction)


 Asuka Miyata
 She currently resides in Mie Prefecture. Having studied textiles, she creates works using hand knitting and modified home electronic knitting machines, working across the fields of fashion, handicrafts, and art. In 2017, she launched the Minatomachi Handicraft Club project, which aims to build community with various people in the town through handicraft culture. Since then, she has expanded similar projects to other locations. Recent exhibitions include "Open and Connect" (2024, Okazaki City Museum of Art and History), the Aichi 2022 International Art Festival (2022), and the Nagoya x Penang Simultaneous Exhibition: Nagoya Cultural Information Center (2021, Minatomachi Potluck Building). Her handicraft club projects include "Minatomachi Handicraft Club" (2017-ongoing, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), "Kanaishi Handicraft Club" (2021, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture), and "Arimatsu Handicraft Club" (2022, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture).

 Minatomachi Handicraft Club
 This project was adopted as a publicly proposed project by the Minato City Planning Council in Minato Ward, Nagoya (2017-2023), and is currently run by Miyata Asuka as a commissioned project. It is an ongoing activity that brings together people of all ages to "learn about handicrafts and life" and to "take what is kept at home outside."
 This is a collection of works by Minato Knitting 'n Stitching Club, which artist Asuka Miyata has been leading in the port town, Nagoya since 2017.
 In addition to introducing the objects made over a long period of time by seven makers in their 60s to 90s whom she has met in the course of her activities, the book also includes interviews with the makers, an essay by artist Yurie Nagashima, and an essay by researcher Akiko yamasaki.
 A dress made for a child, embroidery completed over several years while attending classes, lace knitting done by mindless hands, or a sweater made from spare yarn: ……. What can we take away from these items that these women made for their families and loved ones, and for themselves, and that they kept in a safe place?
 This is a book to rethink the culture and activity of “handcraft,” a skill for living in the present.

 Publisher: ON READING / ELVIS PRESS
 Publication year: 2024
 Number of pages: 320
 Size: 150 x 150 mm
 Format: Softcover
 Language:
 Accessories:
 Condition: New