Miwa Takabayashi is a Japanese artist who has been based in the UK for the last ten years. Her recent work is focused on installation and multimedia art.

Miwa originally trained as an oil painter in Tokyo under Masters from the different well-known Schools; Kitayama of Ichiyo-kai, Kikuchi of Shinsho-kai and Hirohata from the Ittsui-kai School.  After graduating in oil painting at Tamagawa University, she came to the U.K. to study at Goldsmiths College in London (famous attendees included Young British Artists Damian Hirst, Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas). After attending her Postgraduate Course in Visual Arts she continued her studies at the University of Newcastle (MFA Fine Art Programme).

Arriving at the University in 1999 she collaborated with the Medical School to create work concerned with the micro universe. She also developed her artistic repertoire to include 3-D sculpture and multi-media installation art.

Her first year MFA show work “Coffin Series” and “Outer Space” was selected for the Ida Branson Memorial Show, which showcased the best work from graduating students of fine art universities and colleges in the U.K. "Outer Space" was also displayed at The Manchester Art Show in 2003. Her ambitious final year show “Jewels” at the Hatton Gallery in Newcastle, combined a video installation with a portable photographic darkroom.

The following year Miwa had her first solo show as part of a series of cultural events in conjunction with The Japan Society, organised by Lady Knill, where she had the opportunity to present her work to the Japanese Ambassador.

Miwa continued her research in Newcastle for her PhD in Fine Art, under the supervision of Professor Wolfgang Weileder.

Her project ‘Packaged’ is a free standing cardboard structure designed to be displayed inside a shopping mall or consumer environment. Describing herself as a self-confessed shopper and consumer, ‘Packaged’ is an exploration of the interaction between human beings, the consumer object and the contemporary shopping environment.

‘Packaged’ was designed by Miwa and manufactured by a cardboard packaging company and is constructed from panels of specially made silver fire resistant cardboard. The work uses techniques adapted from Japanese ‘origami’ paper folding and the eye-catching design and silver colouring uses principles from packaging design. The result is a piece of ‘hyper-packaging’ in which a person can enter into the object to provide a sanctuary or ‘escape’ space.

Sponsored by The Mall Corporation her work will be on display in The Mall in Maidstone from 18th February to 2nd March 2008. A preview of her design for ‘Packaged’ can also be seen from November 5th 2007 on display in the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead alongside The Mall’s ‘1000 Faces of The Mall’ photographic exhibition.

For more information email miwaart@hotmail.co.uk