Yoko Imai

Calligrapher

©Vacheron Constantin

Painting with precious stones

Yoko won the 2013 Montblanc Young Artist Patronage Award
She created watch dials in partnership with Vacheron Constantin
Her 'paint' is a combination of Chinese ink and precious stone powder

Paris-based Japanese artist Yoko Imai began to learn about calligraphy and painting at the early age of just five. After years of studying under several great masters to attain a professional level in calligraphy, she continued her studies at university, taking Zen philosophy and art history. After a long period of personal research and experimentation, she developed her technical skills to create a unique style of painting based on mixing pearl ink with small quantities of diamond. She has now mastered the craft of applying precious metal and stone powders to surfaces, an artistic technique that is one of a kind. She is inspired by music, particularly classical, contemporary and jazz.

Interview

©Vacheron Constantin

Can you tell us about your unique technique?: I place micro-powders of precious stones to create a 3D-effect. It is based on 7th century Japanese calligraphy and maki-e, the craft of decorating lacquerware with gold or silver powder, enriched by other European techniques such as pointillism.
How do you achieve your colours?: All the colours are powders of the highest quality natural gemstones: diamond, pearl, platinum, gold, lapis lazuli, malachite, agate, tourmaline, coral, quartz, and others. They give my artworks delicate sparkles that vary depending on the light.
Where do you source your papers for calligraphy?: They are rare and precious, created by a certified Japanese Living National Treasure, with a particular know-how that traces back nine generations. His father was Picasso's personal supplier. The papers are 100% natural, handcrafted with great care and unchanged for over 1,500 years.
Where do you find inspiration?: Music directs me. Each painting requires a great deal of conceptualisation and experimentation, until it is perfect. As Anna Magdalena Bach expressed it: "The inner voice has to flow and possess a real melodic line – no note has the right to exist if it is not really necessary".

Yoko Imai is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2002