ABOUT THE ARTIST
April Higashi is a Bay area jeweler and designer, recognized for her painted enamel work and mixed metal with high carat gold pieces.
Born and raised near Salt Lake City, Higashi was always engaged in making things. Her grandfather was an importance influence, an artist, he would take her for walks in the mountains, where he would draw.
By the age of 8 she knew she would attend college out-of-state and showed a strong, and creatively independent, spirit. She earned a BFA from the University of San Francisco.
After a brief stint in the corporate fashion world, she opened her own company. The second order she received was for an amount well into 6 digits and her current career, as an independent designer and artist, was launched.
Her career continues to expand into diverse areas. She consults, works as a buyer for a Paris-based clothing business and is art director for the Jerry Garcia Estate.
ABOUT THE WORK
“My work examines the connection between jewelry and clothing….It reveals how context effects how an object is perceived. Removed from its’ functional aspect, the wearer is invited to relate to jewelry as art.
“I use enamel to create rich color fields, markings and textures. By creating layers of glass, I can create translucent paintings. In the process of heating glass in the kiln there is always an unpredictable element at play. I am attracted to the depth, textures, translucency, and bleeding which happens during firing. In a sense I am marking imperfections in layers to create beauty and balance. Therein lie the unique properties of fusing glass with metal. I look to create a simple sense of beauty and leave a timeless imprint for the audience’s reflection. “
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2007 SOFA Chicago, Patina Gallery, Exhibitor
2005 Solo show, The Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA In Print / In Person, Thomas Riley Gallery, Cleveland, OH
2004 Collect, Victorian Albert Museum, Velvet da Vinci, London, England 5th Year Anniversary Show, Sculpture to Wear, LA, CA
2003 SNAG, The Oakland Museum Collectors Gallery, Oakland, CA
Care of pieces: Like stones, enamel jewelry should be worn with care. It is glass and should not be knocked against hard surfaces or dropped. Store it separately or wrapped, to prevent scratching.
