Fate works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?!

A Stroll Through the Kanagawa Gallery
File.5 Tiptoe
( Shino Yamamoto / Galerie Watts)

I received a direct mail advertisement for colorful scarves that will make winter more enjoyable.
The artist is Fuminori Ono, a textile and dyeing artist based in Tokyo.
She used to come visit occasionally when Galerie Watts, where I work, first opened (20 years ago).
The sender is Gallery Tiptoe in Hayama.
The gallery moved from Takarazuka to Hayama 10 years ago. Before opening her gallery in Takarazuka, owner Kayoko Iwata often visited Watts and talked about her dream of "starting a gallery someday," and that dream has now come true.

I was surprised and nostalgic to learn that these two were connected, so I immediately headed to Hayama to meet them!

Take a bus from Zushi Station towards Hayama, get off at "Kazehayabashi," and walk towards the residential area. There are quite a few houses with kayaks hanging in front of them, as you'd expect from a seaside town. Even the road markings look stylish.
(I looked it up because it was the first time I'd seen it, and apparently it helps to slow down speeds because it appears three-dimensional visually.)
Gallery Tiptoe is a detached house easily recognizable by its blue door.
We primarily handle tableware, but also offer clothing, objects, and other handcrafted items that enhance everyday life.
The opening party was in full swing, and there was a dazzling array of delicious-looking dishes. The catering for this event was handled by the chef of "a day," a wine shop in Zushi with many fans. The dishes incorporated seafood from Hayama and vegetables from Kamakura, and were adorned with colorful hues, much like Ono's artwork.
At Tiptoe, they apparently create a menu tailored to the nuances of each exhibition.
"Of course, we appreciate the delicious food, but we also feel great joy when elderly customers who live alone tell us that they look forward to dining in a warm and welcoming atmosphere," says Iwata.
The table settings using ceramics, glass, lacquerware, and other works by artists who have exhibited here are beautiful, and they inspire me to try using similar tableware at home.
"When I choose tableware for a party, I hope it will be a little bit of a stimulus for the sensibilities of both the customers and the artists. It's an exciting process for me too."

Now, the main character, Ms. Ono, graduated from the Department of Design at Tokyo Zokei University and the Graduate School of Art and Design at Musashino Art University, and then joined Issey Miyake. There, she says, she was further exposed to the fascinating world and possibilities of textiles.
His stylish shirt, tie, and jacket details clearly showed his sophisticated taste, which is typical of someone who loves textiles.

In addition to independently creating art pieces using paper and textiles as materials, Ms. Ono also designs clothing for people to wear.
Iwata, who was captivated by the artwork, offered to hold this exhibition over a decade ago, and this will be the sixth solo exhibition for the artist, following the one held in Takarazuka.

Scarves and stoles made from dyed wool or silk, combined with felted fabric, add a touch of lightness to winter fashion, which tends to be dominated by darker tones.
The vibrant feel you get when you wear it isn't just from the colors; it's likely due to the playful touches that only sculptor Ono-san can incorporate.

"Ms. Iwata loves roses and grows them in her garden, so in the beginning she would make requests like, 'I want something with a rose-like feel.' I feel like I've learned a lot from all the different things she's asked me to do. Now she tells me to 'try whatever you like,' and I'm allowed to play around with it freely."
The creations born from the trust between the artist and the gallery are sure to attract customers. The gallery was bustling with customers who had been eagerly awaiting the exhibition ever since receiving the direct mail.

The coat on display this time, which had colorful yarns enclosed within a mesh, had an impact like an abstract painting.

"I can't sew, so when I need clothes made, I leave it to a friend whose sense of style I trust," said Mr. Ono. As I listened to him, I was surprised to discover that this friend was actually a friend of mine! It's a small world, isn't it? (laughs)

Wonderfully, since moving to Hayama, Tiptoe has been creating a book documenting each artist's solo exhibition as a record. The photographer who was visiting for Ono's fourth book turned out to be someone I know, and it was a great reunion!
Photographer Masaharu Sato has lived in Hayama for 15 years. He has also participated in the long-running Hayama Art Festival (co-organized with Hayama ART WALK since 2018), contributing to the growth of local cultural and artistic projects.

It turns out that I introduced Mr. Sato to Mr. Iwata quite a while ago, which led Mr. Iwata to decide to relocate to Hayama, and now Mr. Sato is taking the photos for the direct mail and other materials.
As these connections kept coming together one after another, it was a delightful moment to reflect on the history of Watts.

And what I brought home was a vivid polka-dot scarf. I've already started incorporating it as an accent color in my autumn and winter fashion.
Everyone I met complimented me on the "beautiful color," and this scarf became a bridge for communication. The connections that arose from that were also enjoyable!

Fuminori Ono's exhibition is running until December 16th (Sunday).

Gallery Information
Tiptoe

240-0112
1422-10 Horiuchi, Hayama-machi, Miura-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture
TEL: 046-854-8256

*Opening days: Generally open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Open during special exhibitions. (Reservations required for Sunday visits)

"access"
▶︎From JR Zushi Station, take a bus (platform 1 or 2) / From Keikyu Shin-Zushi Station, take a bus (platform 1)
Get off at "Kazehayabashi" bus stop. 3-minute walk.