ARTIST

Junko Oki

Junko Oki engraves stories of life onto textiles, with each stitch placed meticulously by hand. Without the guide of an underdrawing, she creates unique motifs and patterns by freehand stitching and by rejecting the structured tradition of embroidery. Although her works display seemingly rudimentary techniques, the artist’s instinctive approach awakens a visceral reaction in viewers. Through her unique embroidery and careful attention, Junko Oki breathes new life into aged textiles, frames, and other objects. These objects, with years of stories already embedded into them, are revived by Oki’s hand through a series of attentive stitches. They include everything that came into being, and chronologies that once existed but are now gone. At the core of Oki’s creative process is a discovery of new horizons through layered impressions of time.

Junko Oki was born in Urawa, Japan in 1963, and is currently based in Kamakura. Oki’s major solo exhibitions include “Moon and chrysalis” (Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, 2017), “anthology” (Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi, 2020), and “OKI Junko: The Exposed” (The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura Annex, 2022). Her works were also featured in group exhibitions such as “GO FOR KOGEI” (Natadera Temple, Ishikawa, 2021), “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK” (Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi, 2023), and “Imaginal Crafts” (National Crafts Museum, Ishikawa, 2024). Her book “PUNK” was published by Bungei Shunju in 2014. Oki’s work has been acquired by the Urawa Art Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and BY ART MATTERS.

WORKS

Tablecloth, 2025
Tulip, 2025
Sunflower, 2025
Baby dress, 2025
Hizakurige Ⅰ, 2024
Hizakurige III, 2024
Hizakurige Ⅱ, 2024
earth, 2024
detour, 2024
mistletoe, 2024
journey, 2024
Love you, 2024
scarlet, 2023
exposed, 2022
omen, 2022
nostalgia, 2022
La dolce vita, 2022
Intertwine 1, 2021
Intertwine 2, 2021
a peach, 2020
a hydrangea, 2020
Sense and sweetness 06, 2018
Sense and sweetness 02, 2018
Sense and sweetness 07, 2018
Sense and sweetness 04, 2018
Message, 2019
Moon and chrysalis 03
time machine, 2017
Tablecloth, 2025

Linen, silk, cotton, bandage, iron / h.122.0 x w.67.8 x d.11.0 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Tulip, 2025

Cotton, linen, silk, bandage, iron, beeswax / h.101.3 x w.80.5 x d.8.4 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Sunflower, 2025

Cotton, linen, silk, bandage, iron, beeswax / h.100.5 x w.100.3 x d.7.8 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Baby dress, 2025

Cotton, linen, silk, needle / h.60.6 x w.55.6 x d.7.2 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Hizakurige Ⅰ, 2024

Linen, cotton, silk / h.63.4 x w.43.8 x d.7.5 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Hizakurige III, 2024

Cotton, linen, silk / h.63.4 x w.43.8 x d.7.5 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Hizakurige Ⅱ, 2024

Cotton, linen, silk / h.55.8 x w.48.3 x d.7.5 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

earth, 2024

Cotton, clasp, wooden pedestal / h.18.2 x w.35.7 x d.26.3 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

detour, 2024

Cotton, silk, linen, wool / h.57.4 x w.45.3 x d.8.0 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

mistletoe, 2024

Cotton, silk, linen, wool / h.108.5 x w.108.3 x d.8.0 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

journey, 2024

Cotton, silk, linen, wool / h.172.3 x w.55.3 x d.8.2 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

Love you, 2024

Cotton, silk, linen / h.98.4 x w.62.8 x d.8.0 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

scarlet, 2023

Linen, silk, cotton, bandage, iron / h.110.5 x w.106.0 x d.6.0 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

exposed, 2022

Cotton, silk, linen, bandage, iron / h.110.2 x w.83.0 x d.7.0 cm
Photo by Osamu Sakamoto / © Junko Oki

omen, 2022

Cotton, hemp, silk / h.65.2 x w.60.6 x d.7.6 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

nostalgia, 2022

Cotton, hemp, silk, wool, bandage, iron / h.111.5 x w.140.3 x d.11.5 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

La dolce vita, 2022

Cotton, hemp, silk / h.55.0 x w.35.5 x d.9.8 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Intertwine 1, 2021

Cotton, silk / h.111.5 x w.105.5 x d.6.5 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Intertwine 2, 2021

Cotton, silk / h.111.5 x w.105.5 x d.6.5 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

a peach, 2020

Linen, silk, cotton / h.76.7 x w.38.6 x d.5.0 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

a hydrangea, 2020

Cotton, linen, silk / h.39.8 x w.39.8 x d.6.2 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Sense and sweetness 06, 2018

Silk, linen, cotton, iron, beeswax / h.158.0 x w.25.5 x d.23.0 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Sense and sweetness 02, 2018

Cotton, iron, beeswax / h.99.3 x w.95.6 x d.6.5 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Sense and sweetness 07, 2018

Silk, cotton, iron, wooden board, acrylic resin / h.52.5 x w.119.0 x d.85.7 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Sense and sweetness 04, 2018

Silk, cotton, straw mat, wooden box, nail, acrylic resin / h.114.8 x w.44.3 x d.10.3 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Message, 2019

Resin, needle, thread, lacquered tray / h.24.8 x w.36.2 x d.35.7 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

Moon and chrysalis 03

Cotton, hemp, bandage, iron, beeswax / h.120.3 x w.91.0 x d.2.8 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

time machine, 2017

Cotton, linen, silk / h.202.0 x w.195.0 cm
Photo by Keizo Kioku / © Junko Oki

INSTALLATION VIEW

Installation view from Promise at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2024
© 2024 Junko Oki, Photo by Osamu Sakamoto
Installation view from Promise at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2024
© 2024 Junko Oki, Photo by Osamu Sakamoto
Installation view from Promise at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2024
© 2024 Junko Oki, Photo by Osamu Sakamoto
Installation view from Promise at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2024
© 2024 Junko Oki, Photo by Osamu Sakamoto
Installation view from FUJI TEXTILE WEEK at Kyu Itoya, 2023
© 2023 Junko Oki
Installation view from FUJI TEXTILE WEEK at Kyu Itoya, 2023
© 2023 Junko Oki
Installation view from FUJI TEXTILE WEEK at Kyu Itoya, 2023
© 2023 Junko Oki
Installation view from FUJI TEXTILE WEEK at Kyu Itoya, 2023
© 2023 Junko Oki
Installation view from yoretsuremotsure at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2022
© 2022 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from yoretsuremotsure at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2022
© 2022 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from yoretsuremotsure at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2022
© 2022 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from yoretsuremotsure at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2022
© 2022 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from GO FOR KOGEI 2021 at Natadera Temple, 2021
©︎ 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from GO FOR KOGEI 2021 at Natadera Temple, 2021
©︎ 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from GO FOR KOGEI 2021 at Natadera Temple, 2021
©︎ 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from Yobitsugi at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2021
© 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Yobitsugi at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2021
© 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Yobitsugi at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2021
© 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Yobitsugi at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2021
© 2021 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Embroidery at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2020
© 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Embroidery at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2020
© 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Embroidery at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2020
© 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from Embroidery at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2020
© 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from anthology at Hagi Uragami Museum, 2020
©︎ 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from anthology at Hagi Uragami Museum, 2020
©︎ 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from anthology at Hagi Uragami Museum, 2020
©︎ 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from anthology at Hagi Uragami Museum, 2020
©︎ 2020 Junko Oki, Photo by Yasushi Ichikawa
Installation view from sense and sweetness at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2018
©︎ 2018 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from sense and sweetness at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2018
©︎ 2018 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from sense and sweetness at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2018
©︎ 2018 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku
Installation view from sense and sweetness at KOSAKU KANECHIKA, 2018
©︎ 2018 Junko Oki, Photo by Keizo Kioku

BIOGRAPHY

  • 1963 Born in Saitama, Japan
  • 1991 Graduated from Setsu Mode Seminar
    Lives and works in Kanagawa, Japan

CV

Solo Exhibitions

  • 2024 “Promise” KOSAKU KANECHIKA, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2022 “yoretsuremotsure” KOSAKU KANECHIKA, Tokyo, Japan
    “OKI Junko: The Exposed” The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan
  • 2021 “Yobitsugi” KOSAKU KANECHIKA, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2020 “Embroidery” KOSAKU KANECHIKA, Tokyo, Japan
    “anthology” Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi, Japan
  • 2019 “Truly Indispensable” Office Baroque, Brussels, Belgium
  • 2018 “sense and sweetness” KOSAKU KANECHIKA, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2017 “Moon and chrysalis” Shiseido Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
    “JUNKO OKI” Office Baroque, Brussels, Belgium
  • 2016 “gris gris” DEE'S HALL, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2015 “PUNK” DEE'S HALL, Tokyo, Japan / MORIS, Hyogo, Japan / Morioka Shoten, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2014 “Red” DEE'S HALL, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2013 “Zeze Hihi” shima, Aichi, Japan
    “culte a la mode” DEE'S HALL, Tokyo, Japan
    “culte a la carte” COW BOOKS, Tokyo, Japan
    “Tattoo” Gallery B, Kanagawa, Japan
  • 2012 “Outsider” DEE'S HALL, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2011 “poesy” Morioka Shoten, Tokyo, Japan / COW BOOKS, Tokyo, Japan / shima, Aichi, Japan(2011–2012)
    “Mental Nourishment” DEE'S HALL, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2009 “Prayer” gallery feve, Tokyo, Japan
    “Recycle” ARTS & SCIENCE Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan

Group Exhibitions

  • 2024 “Earth, Wind, and Fire: Visions of the Future from Asia” Okura Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan
    “Imaginal Crafts” National Crafts Museum, Kanazawa, Japan
    “Here and There and Back Again, Japanese Art 1964 – 2024” Nicolas Krupp, Basel, Switzerland
    “ONE SINGLE BOOK” Gallery Koyanagi, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2023 “FUJI TEXTILE WEEK 2023” Around Honcho-Street, Shimoyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi, Japan
    “WORLDS IN BALANCE: ART IN JAPAN FROM THE POSTWAR TO THE PRESENT” Okura Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan
    “Collection Exhibition 1 It Knows: When Forms Become Mind” 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
  • 2021 “GO FOR KOGEI 2021” Natadera Temple, Ishikawa, Japan
  • 2019 “Where We Now Stand—In Order to Map the Future [2]” 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
  • 2018 “Yamagata Biennale 2018” Bunshokan, Yamagata, Japan
  • 2017 “Junko Oki | Masaho Anotani” KOSAKU KANECHIKA, Tokyo, Japan
  • 2016 “Nous—sewing and living” 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
    “finding Ling-Ling’s head” cookie butcher, Antwerp, Belgium
    “8 femmes” Office Baroque, Brussels, Belgium

Public Collections

  • Urawa Art Museum, Urawa, Japan
  • Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama, Kanagawa, Japan
  • 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan
  • BY ART MATTERS, Hangzhou, China

Awards

  • 2017 The 11th shiseido art egg, shiseido art egg Award

PRESS

EXHIBITIONS

ARTIST WEBSITE

https://www.junkooki.com/