Hikaru Noguchi

Hikaru Noguchi moved to England from Japan in 1989 to study constructed textiles, specialising in knit, having previously taken a degree in graphic design at Musashino Art University in her native Tokyo.
Finding a measure of artistic freedom and stimulation in England which she had not found in Japan, she stayed on after completing her studies at Middlesex University to take up knitted textile design work, developing new and innovative textiles for furnishings, scarves, bags and garments.
Her work has developed to mix texture, colour and hand knit qualities. With influences from traditional knit patterns and techniques, such as FairIsle, Aran, embroidery and stripe. Sources of inspiration are diverse, from flea markets all over the world to paintings of De Chirico. She seeks a look that is both sophisticated and quirky, achieved through unusual juxtapositions of colour and texture. Throughout, her fundamental theme is one of joie de vivre.

In the last few years Hikaru has delved deeper into visible mending and embroidery as another layer and dimension to her work. Living back in Tokyo now she has published a book 'Darning Repair Make' and has a line of handmade wooden darning mushrooms that she has designed.