Izumi is an accomplished Japanese glass artist who specializes in unique handmade creations which span functionality as daily-use dining table items to others that can be displayed as works of art.  Every work a masterpiece.  Every piece reflects Izumi’s flowing energy and devotion to her art.  She has shown her pieces at  hundreds of galleries and other pieces have been auctioned. 

She has spent more than two decades honing her skill with glass art and her kiln is constantly ablaze, sometimes firing up to 20 pieces at a time, frequently working into the wee hours of the morning shaping and polishing a piece using her hands, heart, and spirit until her inner voice assures her that the glass art can be refined no more.  Izumi loves art and the hidden creative spirit behind each piece.  Izumi artistic talents are in such high demand that she holds workshops throughout Japan and at her home studio in EchiZENhama (越前浜), some of them in English.  She firmly believes that even if you’re only pondering art and its process that you should try it and see what develops!  She relishes helping others refine their vision of perceptual masterpieces of glass art during her workshops.

Her artistic journey began studying at one of Japan’s most prestigious Fine Arts universities in Tokyo, but that was only the beginning of her artistic spirit’s growth.  She explored mosaics, woodworking, and urushi (Japanese lacquerware) with gold leaf among others.  Soon after, she undertook in a pilgrimage to Australia where she reflected on her artistic process and deepened her devotion to glass art.  Her mentors include Klaus Moje who she studied under in Fukui, Japan, integrating his techniques into her own.  She never looked back and continues his legacy by merging his style into her own, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary.  On several occasions, Izumi has also mentioned the brilliant Lino Tagliapietra as an inspiration.  These two master glass artists are representative forerunners to Izumi’s unique and natural creations.

In the future, she’s planning to travel to Germany, America, Australia, or anywhere in the world with other artists to share work and their creative processes with as many people as possible.  Echizenhama, which holds Izumi’s studio as well as JapanDreamscapes main office, is a safe haven of artistic expression, and the only community in Niigata that is growing in population.  Artists and musicians abound here, and the 3 km long beach often erupts into impromptu concerts and performances which appeal to the entire community.  Izumi is looking forward to enriching the lives of students from abroad or anyone to develop their artistic creativity and spirit, so if you’d like to have Izumi work with you, or visit her studio, please contact us, and we’ll make it happen!

星名　泉

Izumi Glass Studio - ＜星名五左衛門商店＞