Kie Imai
Metal Hammering Artist
In my artistic practice, I have found opposing concepts of "life and death" within the process of metal hammering (called tankin in Japan), a technique of shaping metal with a hammer.
Striking and raising a cold, inorganic sheet of metal with a hammer is a process accompanied by a certain pain, distinct from mere pleasure. At the same time, as the metal plate gradually takes shape and rises, I feel a vivid sense of life breathing into it. "Why do I practice tankin?"—I begin my creative process with this fundamental and introspective question.
Looking at the completed works, memories of pain accompanied by physical sensations, or memories of trauma, are evoked. It is only then that I can retroactively understand how the act of metal hammering was connected to my own memories of pain—such as the sensation of drawing physically close to "death." Through this process, I am able to truly feel my own "life" for the first time.
In recent years, based on this experimental attitude, I have been engaging in efforts to reconstruct memories of individual pain within society. This is pursued not only through sculptural works created with metal hammering, but also through installation and video art, alongside related talk sessions and workshops.
CV
b. 1995, Tokyo, Japan, l. Tokyo, Japan
2018 B.F.A., Tama Art University, Department of Crafts, Metal
2020 M.F.A., Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Crafts, Metal Hammering
2020–21 Jewelry Prototype Modeler, F.D.C. PRODUCTS Inc. (YONDOSHI HOLDINGS INC.)
2022 Research Student, Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Crafts, Metal Hammering
2026 Ölands Folkhögskola, Konstskolan Ⅱ, Sweden
2023– Ph.D. Student, Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Crafts, Metal Hammering
Solo Exhibition
2026 "Carving Traces, Creating Films - Metal Hammering Reconstructs Relationships with Traumatic Memories - " Art Gallery SORA-NO-MA, Tokyo, Japan
2025 "Silent Witnesses" Art Gallery SORA-NO-MA, Tokyo, Japan
2022 "Errors of Discharge" Former Hirakushi Denchu Residence Atelier, Tokyo, Japan
2022 "Vomit, Life" ICHIGOYA, Yanaka Ginza Store, Tokyo, Japan
2021 "Purification of Swallowing" Gallery Ishikawa, Tokyo, Japan
2020 "Errors in Flower Play" galerie H, Tokyo, Japan
Group Exhibitions
2026 "Tokyo University of the Arts ‘I LOVE YOU’ Project 2025 and Goldman Sachs Gives Supported Results Report and Internal Exhibition" Goldman Sachs, Tokyo
2025 "Art Future Research Field Exhibition" The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo
2024 "Onbeat Art Show" Korinbo Yamato, Ishikawa
2024 "Onbeat Art Show" Hiroshima Mitsukoshi, Hiroshima
2023 "Onbeat Art Show" Toyama Yamato, Toyama
2023 "Onbeat Art Show" Ginza Mitsukoshi, Tokyo
2023 "Hadon" Nakamachi House, Tokyo
2023 "zén- TOKYO GEIDAI JAPAN ART WEEK" The Blue Gallery, New York City
2023 "Geidai Myth-Geishin-" Geidai Art Plaza, Tokyo
2018-19.22-24 "Tokyo University of the Arts Results Exhibition" Tennozu Central Tower, Tokyo
2022 "ARTS. Mori" Shibuya Hikarie 8/COURT, Tokyo
2021 "At the time of the first Pattro Ronjou -2021" Online
2020 "Woman Power" Ishikawa Gallery, Tokyo
2020 "Tokyo University of the Arts Graduation Class Exhibition" Masaki Memorial Hall, Tokyo
2019 "First Patronage Program 2019" KITTE Marunouchi, Tokyo
2018 "Geidai Art Plaza Grand Prize Exhibition" Geidai Art Plaza, Tokyo
2018 "Komitecol Veil Award 2018" The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo
2018 "Gin Tea Association in Geidai" Ginza Itoya, Tokyo
2018 "Kagari -Tama Art University Department of Crafts Graduation Production Exhibition" Spiral, Tokyo
2017 "Relevible cubes" Tama Art University, Tokyo
2017 "53rd Kanagawa Prefectural Art Exhibition" Kanagawa Prefectural Hall, Kanagawa
2017 "Iron is hot" Tennozu Central Tower, Tokyo
2016 "River Yukue" Tamashin Risuru Hall, Tokyo
2015 "Girls Room" Gallery Spacespace, Tokyo
Award
2024 JX Metals Corporation Prize Winner
2019 Ataka Prize Winner
2019 Kawamura Cultural Arts Award, 2nd Prize
2018 Comite Colbert Award 2018 Finalist
2018 Geidai Art Plaza Grand Prize Exhibition, Selected Finalist
2018 Tama Art University Graduation System, Excellent Work
2017 Selected, 53rd Kanagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition, Crafts Division
Publication
2023 "Onbeat Vol.19", Bilingual art magazine
2020 "Rookie column selected by the editorial department" "Art Window" Seikatsu no Tomo Co. in 2020, May issue
2018 "EXHBITIONS Komitecolber Award 2018 -Modern people and Nature-" "Bijutsu Techo ONLINE"
Grants
2025 Tokyo University of the Arts "I LOVE YOU" Project 2025 Promoting the Activenes of Minorities (Goldman Sachs Gives Support)
2023 Taiju Sasaki Scholarship Foundation Design Arts and Crafts Scholarship
2022 Taito City Arts and Culture Support System
2019 Taiju Sasaki Scholarship Foundation Design Arts and Crafts Scholarship
Collection
2026 Hiratsuka Hachimangu Shrine
2024 Rinzai Sankoin Temple
2023 Rinzai Sankoin Temple
2021 Charm Premier Grand Minami-Azabu
2020 Charm Suite Koenji
2020 Charm Premier Kamakurayama
2020 Charm Premier Kakinokizaka
Member of Society for The Japanese Society for Aesthetics, Art Education Studies and Study Group for History of Crafts.