We would like to thank all entrants, supporters, jewelry school tutors, critics and instructors, local government officials, community members from Ise Shiman Japan, the Embassy of Japan and all exhibition visitors. Thank you so much for your support. We are greatly honored to have successfully managed the event in spite of 2020’s challenges, announcing awarded creations on the last day of exhibition at the Embassy of Japan, Japan Creative Center in Singapore. Here we introduce the Top 10 Winners again to our online audience.
Due to global warming and the decline in the number of local pearl farmers, Akoya pearl production has been decreasing rapidly. Only last year it was suspected that 80% of Akoya Oysters died because of ocean temperature changes. As many people don’t know how to differentiate pearls or how to determine the value of pearls, through this competition, we wish to share the beauty of pearls and allow more people to learn more about and appreciate Akoya pearls.
Due to COVID-19, we started 1 month later than originally scheduled, from 10th July 2020. The exhibition and voting in Ise Shima also had online voting until the end of October. After that, all creations were exhibited in Singapore from 3rd to 19th December. Including online voting, the total number of votes during these six months was 1669. Out of this, the number of votes from Singapore was 200.
The Awards Ceremony was live streamed courtesy of the Embassy of Japan, Japan Creative Center Singapore. https://fb.watch/2I3gF07Jb3/
Awarded designs will be exhibited in Ise Shima Japan at our Ise Gallery until the end of January 2021. The Top 2 Award Winners will be made available for public sale. Please feel free to contact Maiko Makito directly at maiko@pearlfalco.com for additional information about purchasing.
1st Place 278/1669 votes
Teresa Pavita, Indonesia
Day and Night
Day and Night. Amaterasu splits away from her brother Tsukuyomi, causing the separation of night and day. The two pearls represent two different worlds. The Yellow color represents Day and the Sun is Amaterasu. The White color represents night and the dangling stones are stars surrounding the moon.
2nd Place 273/1669 votes
Sarah Sophia Indonesia
Shinning Lady
The artist crafted a female face, the very moment the Sun Goddess Amaterasu comes out from a cave and sees her reflection in the mirror. The flower symbolizes a chrysanthemum flower, one of Japan’s treasured sun symbols.
3rd Place 95/1669 Votes
Lee Jar Wen
Malaysia
The Blessing of Amaterasu Omikami
This design was inspired by the combination of the Yata no Kagami, a sacred mirror with an octagonal shape that appears in the Sinto, and the Shimenawa, sacred Shinto ropes that are often found at Shinto Shrines. Amaterasu Omikami is the Shinto Sun Goddess. The pendant necklace brings good fortune and casts out evil spirits. It was delicately crafted in silver 999 and carefully polished to achieve a superior reflection of light.
4th Place 82/1669 Votes
Jonathan Kwong
Singapore
Ryujin
The artist crafted a Ryujin Ring chasing two beautiful Akoya pearls. Having the Ryujin chase the pearls brings attention and puts emphasis on the pearls. Enhancing the beauty and elegance of the two Akoya pearls.
5th Place 81/1669 Votes
Miki Takahashi
Japan
Smile of Ocean
The artist experimented with looking at the sea from both a horizontal and vertical direction. From these different vantage points, the ocean, the views, the sounds and even the color of waves are different. The artist was thinking about the many faces of the ocean and prays that the ocean remains calm and smiles.
6th Phan Thi Hien Nhi
Vietnam
Virtue
7th Phawa Sine Nwe
Myanmar
Shining Light of the Beauty
8th Mifuyu Fukai
Japan
Sunrise
9th Kaori Aokimoto
Japan
海神の宝物~Tre’sor de la de’esse de La mer~
10th Koh Yuwei Damien
Singapore
Fluttering Feathers of Nike