Junko Narita (b.1946) creates fantastical dolls that look like the protagonists of stories from Chinese and Japanese mythology descending from the sky. These gorgeous and elegant works made by hand are comprised of antique fabrics such as crepe, satin, Ming brocade, brocade and embroidery that were once worn by princesses 300 years ago, and are adorned with jewelry made of gold and silver, coral, jade and crystal.
Narita was born in Kyoto and learned Japanese dance from an early age. After getting married, she lived in the UK for several years; these experiences shaped her approach to the traditional artform. Enveloped in mysterious, beautiful costumes, each seems like a visitor from an unknown land. Her works often center around the yearly zodiac, such as a boy riding a white dragon or the rabbit hopping over the moon.
Selected Biography
1982 Graduated from the Japan Creative Doll Academy
1984 Exhibited at the Gunen Art Association Exhibition and won the Gunen Award (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum)
2003 Winner of the Kateigaho Grand Prize Exhibition
2006 Solo exhibition "Junko Narita Doll Exhibition" (Ginza Ippodo, Tokyo)
2007 Received the NHK Publishing Association Award at the "Hokyoji Temple Doll Exhibition" (Doll Temple Hokyoji Temple, Kyoto)
2009 Solo exhibition "Junko Narita Doll Exhibition: Tales of the Sky" (Ginza Ippodo, Tokyo)
Featured in the quarterly Ginka magazine "The World of Junko Narita Dolls"
2010 Special Exhibition: Junko Narita Doll Exhibition "Nene Mugen" (Kodaiji Temple, Kyoto)
2012 SOFA CHICAGO (Ippodo New York, USA)
2013 Selected as the Minister's Special Prize Winner for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Online Election Video Contest
Featured in Waraku Mook's Japanese Crafts Magazine Art Museum, "The 2nd Kanazawa International Craft Triennale: Regional Crafts," 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (Ishikawa)
2014 "'Taiwan-Japan Contemporary Craft & Design in Flux'" National Taiwan Crafts Research Institute (Taiwan)
2017 Selected for the 3rd Kanazawa World Triennale International Craft Competition
2018 Solo Exhibition "Junko Narita Doll Exhibition" (Kenninji Temple, Kyoto)
