With years of experience in the world of fashion, artist Asako Iwazumi has first-hand knowledge on how Japan’s fast fashion trends and excessive packaging culture have led to the production of waste. And although she already left the fashion industry back in 2008, this insight has never left her. In her current path as an artist, Iwazumi finds a new use for wasted materials by transforming them into pop art.

This month, Iwazumi will be showcasing what she can make using only her skills and recycled materials in an exhibition for her “Kimekomi Art” in Tokyo.

“Kimekomi Art” is the name of one of Iwazumi’s recycled art styles. She takes inspiration from “toso dolls,” a traditional Japanese wooden doll. Its clothing is made by squeezing individual pieces of cloth into crevices on the doll so that they fit perfectly and form something whole. Similarly, Iwazumi takes pieces of used fabric and waste styrofoam and carefully fits them together to form a whole new picture.

Asako Iwazumi’s Kimekomi Art exhibition will be running from February 9-15, 2022 at the G Stage located in Mitsukoshi Ginza’s 5th floor Main Hall. You can find more of her work online through her website and her Instagram page.