MINAKO SHIRAKURA BA (Hons) and PG Dip.in Glass was born in Japan 1967. Graduated form Waseda University , Tokyo (majored in sociology). Studied glass in the U.K. and graduated from Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot - Watt University in 1994 (Glass Department). Awarded Andrew Grant Major Award (scholarship) to attend Postgraduate Diploma Course in Glass in Edinburgh College of Art and completed the course in 1996. Currently lives and works in Tokyo , Japan.

Major Exhibitions:

may 1999 Solo Exhibition COM Gallery , Tokyo , Japan

may 1999 ''Vetro al Femminile'', Galleria Marina Barovier , Venice , Italy

oct1998 - jan 1999Venezia Aperto Vetro - International .New Glass 1998 , Palazzo Fortuny , Venice , Italy

sep. 1998I wate Art Festival UK98 , ''Affinity'', Gallery , Saiensu , Japan

aug.1998''New Glass'', Garden Gallery , Edimburgh , U.K.

jul.- sep.1998''Glass'' (Site specific glass exhibition by 12 , glass artists) , Royal Botanic Garden , Edinburgh , U.K.

oct.1997Solo Exhibition , COM Gallery , Tokyo. Japan

oct.-nov.1996Augus College Arts & Crafts Competition Exhibition , Arbroath , Dundee , U.K.

oct.-nov.1996Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition(invited artist) ,Royal Scottish Academy, Edimburgh,U.K.

aug.-sep.1996''Glass of '96'', Himley Hall , Dudley , West Midlands , U.K.

jul.-aug.1996''New Generation Show'', Compass Gallery, Glasgow , U.K.

jul.-aug.1995Four Persons' Show (invited artist) , Crawfords Arts Centre ,St.Andrews , U.K.

dec.1994''Finely applied'', Association of Applied Art Exhibition , Seagate Gallery , Dundee , U.K.

sep.1994Three Persons' Show , Norrie-Toch Studio , Gullane , Edimburgh , U.K.

jul.1994''New Designers'Exhibition'' , Design Centre , London , U.K.Award

oct.1996Angus College Arts & Crafts Competition Student Purchase Prize

aug.1996'''Glass of '96'' First Prize

jun;1996Scottish Glass Society Special Award

jun.1996Helen Rose Award

oct;1994Andrew Grant Major Award-Scholarship to take postgraduatediploma course in Edinburgh College of Art

jul.1993Andrew Grant Award-Travel Grant for works in department of Humanities , Edinburgh College of of Art:research trip to JapanResidency and working experience etc.

may.-dec.1999Collaboration with Daniela Gregis (Italy) /Designed graphics for her''Advent Skirt'99''

may.-jul.1998Artist in residence , North Lands Creative Glass , Lybster , Scotland

oct.1997-Teaching glass blowing in MC glass Lab. , Tokyo

oct.1995-jan.1997Assistant for Adrienne McStay , Fife , Scotland (Hot Glass)

oct.1994-feb.1995 Teaching of first year students in Edinburgh

nov.-dec.1995College of Art (kiln and Cold work)

jan.1992Assistant for David Kaplan , Lindean Mill Glass , Selkirk , Scotland (Hot Glass)Appearance in periodical/bibliographyVenezia Aperto Vetro International New Glass1998 (1998/Italy)New Frontiers in Contemporary (S.Dunn M. Margetts , 1998/U.K.)New Glass Review 18(1997/ U.SAa.)The Home Show, Iussue 4(1996/ U.K.)