Hiroko Takeda (b. 1966) is celebrated for her innovative approach to weaving, merging painting and sculpture to create unique and surprising artworks. Takeda aims to explore and push the boundaries of her materials, meticulously planning her works with mathematical precision while remaining open to unexpected outcomes. Her objective is to create pieces that surpass her initial vision, achieving a harmonious interplay between light and dark, surface and depth, bound and unbound. Takeda is New York-based but was born in Japan. Growing up with a mother who was a fashion educator and a father who was an architect, she quickly learned the significance of material and design. A visit to a school’s textile department just before college, where she encountered looms and ongoing projects, captivated her and directed her to study Mingei, the Japanese arts and crafts movement, which emphasizes the importance of materiality, the harmony between function and beauty, and the avoidance of purely decorative elements. She later earned a Master’s degree in Constructed Textiles from the Royal College of Art in London. For eight years, she held the position of senior designer at Jack Lenor Larsen Studio, working closely with Larsen, a long-time associate of Anni Albers, before establishing her own practice. Her notable clientele includes Richard Meier, Victoria Hagan, Calvin Klein, and Peter Marino, for whom she has crafted pieces for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior. In 2019, Takeda completed a residency at the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation in Connecticut.

Takeda’s work has been showcased in exhibitions across the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan. Renowned publications such as Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, and Ludion’s 2018 book “Weaving: Contemporary Makers on the Loom” have featured her creations.