Takashi Wada

Born in Tianjin, China, of Japanese parents, Takashi Wada studied at Tokyo University of the Arts in the Metalworking Department before he joined the Ginza Sanai Co., Ltd., and eventually after a year, created a division at Estan Co., Ltd., which was very prosperous called Takashi Wada Original Jewelry Corner.

Mr. Wada has created countless pieces inspired by nature as well as intricate abstract works, which have garnered him an impeccable reputation as a skilled and creative jewelry maker. He has traveled the world both learning and teaching jewelry making, earning an M.A. from the Tyler School of Fine Arts at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1969 where he was also a teaching assistant.

A member of the Japanese Jewelry Designers Association, Mr. Wada was declared one of the world’s top 10 designers by the Platinum Guild in 1985. Mr. Wada has won awards for his tremendous work such as 1st prize at the Niemeyer Fund Awards “Sterling Silver Design Competition” organized by the Sterling Silversmiths Guild of America in 1971. In addition to winning various awards, his work has been exhibited at the “Craft ‘70” jewelry exhibit, Civic Center Museum, Philadelphia; “Goldsmith ‘70” exhibit, Minnesota Museum of Art, St. Paul; “Montreal Jewelry Exhibit;” Japan Club and Japan Society in New York City; and in a permanent collection at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Design in New York City.

Mr. Wada also lectured at the Japan Club and Japan Society, and in 1973 opened the Takashi Wada Atrium in New York City where he also taught jewelry making at the School of Visual Arts.

Sources:

Edelstein, Cindy, and Frank Stankus. Brilliance!: Masterpieces from the American Jewelry Design Council. Lark Books, 2008.

Wada, Takashi, et al. The Art of Making Jewelry. (Translated ... by Allan Gewirtzman. Edited by Margaret Holton). Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1975.