Chino is currently working on her new projects. You are welcome to make an appointment on the Contact page to visit her studio and see her work as well as for commissions.
Upcoming Exhibitions
2025 Mar Morristown Art Exhibition, New Jersey, USA
2024 Sep Group Show: Park Royal Gallery, London
2024 Jul Group Show, Borough, London
2024 May Group Show: Park Royal Gallery, London
2024 Apr 'Tea & Friendship', SPACE, London
2024 Mar Wentworth Woodhouse Trust Exhibition, South Yorkshire
Past Exhibitions
2023 Dec Exhibit Here’s Art Maze Exhibition at Barge house, Oxo Tower Wharf, London
2023 Dec London Made Me, 14 Carnaby Street, London
2023 Oct Visual Art Open‘23, Finalist, The Other Art Fair, London
2023 Oct Group Show: Hideaway, MONAT Gallery, Madrid, Spain
2023 Sep Colour my Type: Vitreous enamel collaboration, Alex Monroe, London
2023 Sep International Contemporary Art Fair, Luxembourg
2023 Sep Group Show: Park Royal Gallery, London
2023 Jul Green & Stone Gallery, Summer Exhibition Shortlisted, London
2023 May Group Show: Park Royal Gallery, London
2022 Sep London Design Festival: Park Royal Design District, London
2022 Sep Kiji NFTs exhibition: Standard Studios, London
2022 Sep Group Show: Park Royal Gallery, London
2022 Mar Group Show: Park Royal Gallery, London
2021 Nov Conceptual Art Popup: VICKISARGE, London
2021 Sep London Design Festival: Park Royal Design District
2018 Feb Craft & Design Council Competition: The Goldsmiths' Company
2016 Dec Shine, The Goldsmiths' Centre, London
BIOGRAPHY
Chino Ridge, originally from Japan, now resides in London. As a child, Chino was deeply influenced by her grandfather's Japanese-style paintings and traditional Oshie art, as well as her mother's expertise in clay art. These early encounters inspired her to study applied fine arts at Yokohama College of Art in 1992, where she discovered vitreous enamel—a medium that would later become her signature material.
Seeking to expand her knowledge, Chino journeyed to Limoges, France for further research before venturing into the world of fashion accessory design in Tokyo.
In 2002, Chino enrolled at Camberwell College of Arts in London to study silversmithing and metalwork. During her second year, she accepted a full-time position as a costume jewelry designer, eventually becoming a senior designer. Her collaborations with high-end fashion houses and the showcasing of her jewelry by celebrities and magazines put her artistic ambitions on hold. However, this commercial experience allowed Chino to discover her identity as a conceptual artist, leading to a transformation in her artistic philosophy.
In 2016, Chino received a bursary for the Setting Out program at The Goldsmiths' Centre in London, providing her with silversmithing facilities and additional expertise, which enabled her to bring her long-held sculpture ideas to life.
Since then, Chino has devoted her time and energy to creating her artworks, blending unique combinations of materials, themes, and techniques gathered from her diverse experiences.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Chino is a versatile and multifaceted artist who skillfully combines conceptual ideas with material-driven aesthetics. Her deep appreciation for history frequently shapes the core ideas in her artwork, enabling her to interpret the present and envision the future.
Transitioning from commercial design and traditional craft, Chino has had the privilege to participate in diverse projects that have facilitated the realization of her artistic aspirations, liberating her from being typecast both personally and creatively. She is particularly passionate about utilizing traditional techniques of silversmithing and vitreous enameling to produce evocative sculptures and installations, which have become her trademark. Recently, Chino expanded her artistic repertoire by incorporating heirloom vintage silk kimono swatches, further demonstrating her affinity for innovative materials in realizing her creative visions.
Guided by her curiosity in exploring fundamental themes such as culture, history, and value, Chino's work aims to challenge conventional ideas of beauty and utility. Her ultimate goal is to create thought-provoking pieces that engage viewers, igniting conversations about the intricate relationships between art, craft, culture, and our understanding of worth.
Awards & Commissions
2024 Art Commission - OPDC Ideas Book
2023 Finalist - Visual Art Open‘23
2018 Finalist - Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust
2018 Silver Award - The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards
2005 Article: The British Society of Enamellers
Residencies
2017 - 2021 Gold Membership, The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London
2016 Setting out program bursary, The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London
2011 Artist in Residence, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham
Work History
2016 - 2018 Freelance Costume Jewellery Consultant & Designer, Isetan, Tokyo
Designing collections for a new costume jewellery brand.
Walter Van Beirendonck FW 2017, VICKISARGE
2013 - 2015 Senior Designer & Workshop Manager, VICKISARGE, London
Consulting and product development for the brand's new direction
Notable commissions: Erdem, Amazon, Walter Van Beirendonck
2003 - 2013 Senior Designer & Workshop Manager, Erickson Beamon, London
Best-selling, lead designer for yearly S/S and A/W collections:
Walter Van Beirendonck FW 2013/14
Jil Sander SS 2012
Royal Wedding, 2011
Saturday@Phillips: Phillips, London
Pollini FW 2008/09
Notable commissions: Samantha Cameron at Royal Wedding, Walter Van Beirendonck, Jill Sander, Phillips de Pury & Co., Pollini by Rifat Ozbek, Jasper Conran Bridal
2001 - 2002 Costume Jewellery Designer, Elan Corporation, Tokyo
Advised clients on accessory designs & materials
2000 - 2001 Product Developer, Gauri Corporation, Jaipur, India
Consulted by Japanese clients on product materials (gemstones, textiles, etc.) and liaised with factories to assess capabilities
1998 - 2000 Accessory Designer & Product Manager, Noriko Accessory Design Co., Tokyo
Design and product development of fashion jewellery and accessories for leading high street fashion brands
Education
2016 - 2017 Setting Out Programme, The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London
2016 - 2020 Silversmithing Tuition, Ray Walton, Faversham, Kent
2015 - 2015 Introduction to Handbag Design, London College of Fashion
2011 - 2012 Artist in Residence, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham
2005 - 2006 Associate Student, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL, London
2004 - 2004 Work Experience, David Clarke & Simone ten Hompel, London
2002 - 2005 BA Silversmithing & Metalwork, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL, London
1992 - 1995 BA Applied Art, Yokohama University of Art and Design, Japan