Artist Statement_

Liliam Higa is a studio jewelry practice creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces in gold, sterling silver, pearls, gemstones, and ceramic elements. Rooted in hand fabrication and lost-wax casting, the work brings together sculptural form, material intuition, and a precise attention to the intimate scale of the body.
Drawing from a background in fashion design, visual design, and years of working between Brazil, Japan, and the United States, Liliam's jewelry explores the tension between refinement and imperfection. Pearls, reclaimed metals, deadstock gemstones, and tactile surfaces are treated not only as precious materials, but as carriers of memory, atmosphere and transformation.
Each piece is made through a dialogue between control and embrace of imperfection: polished metal against irregular form, luminous pearls against rougher textures, structure against softness. The result is jewelry that feels personal, sensual, and quietly unconventional — objects meant to be worn, held, and lived with.
Liliam Higa’s work has been featured in publications including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Interview, and Gestalten. Today, the studio continues to create jewelry for collectors drawn to pieces with presence, material depth, and a sense of private meaning.

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Group Exhibitions_

2025, Murmurations, Self Portraits by Artists of Diaspora - Sentro Filipino, San Francisco - CA

2025, Transylvania Jewelry Festival - Galleria Parter, Cluj-Napoca - ROMANIA

2025, I Salão Latino de Joalheria Contemporanea - Galeria Retina, São Paulo - BRAZIL

2025, The City of Pembroke Pines Juried Exhibition and Annual Competition -Winner of Best Sculpture, Pembroke Pines - FL

2025, Artists in Residence Showcase - Gasper Arts Center, Dania Beach - FL

2024, Artists in Residence Showcase - Gasper Arts Center, Dania Beach - FL

2015, City//Nature, Onishi Gallery - New York - NY

2013, Makers, Brooklyn Metal Works Gallery - Brooklyn - NY

2000, Graduation Showcase, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts - Okinawa - JAPAN

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Selected Projects_

2022, Traditional Japanese confection in custom flavors, FDK Florals New York City Press Gifting - New York, NY

2022, Modern Wagashi Plant-based Confections Development and Production, The Onitsuka Soho Store - New York, NY

2021, Momordica Charantia - full page Illustration and story, LAAB Magazine volume 4 print - New York, NY

2016, Earrings for “In Common” video, Alicia Keys

2015, Creative Direction for Lillot Jewelry photoshoot with photographer Conan Thai

2007, Creative Direction and Styling for Jewelry photoshoot with photographer Paul Noble

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Awards_

2025, Winner of Best Sculpture, The City of Pembroke Pines Juried Exhibition and

Annual Competition, Pembroke Pines - FL

2018, Eyes on Design - Best Next Gen Experience in Concept Cars, Infiniti QX and

Nissan, Ronin X Studio Project, Detroit Automotive Interiors, Detroit, MI

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Fairs and Markets_

2026, Bijoux! Contemporary Jewelry Exhibition and Sale, The Studio at Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FL

2026, Palm Beach Fine Crafts Show, PBConvention Center, Palm Beach, FL

2016, (capsule) New York Tradeshow, Pier 94, New York - NY

2015, Edit Shows Tradeshow, Jacob Javits Center, New York - NY

2014, Edit Shows Tradeshow, Jacob Javits Center, New York - NY

2014, NADA Miami Fashion Market, Deauville Beach Resort, Miami Beach - FL

2013, O.N.A. Trunkshow, Brooklyn - NY

2013, Made in NYC Holiday Market, Industry City Complex, Brooklyn - NY

2013, Coast Shows Tradeshow, Stage 37, New York, NY

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Publications_

2017, LIAR Magazine Editorial

2017, ELLE Vietnam Magazine Editorial

2016, Creem Magazine Editorial

2016, Bon Appetite Magazine Thanksgiving Editorial

2016, Schon Germany Magazine Editorial

2016, Marie Claire Greece Magazine Beauty Editorial

2016, Schon Germany Magazine Editorial

2016, Vogue Taiwan Magazine Editorial

2016, Refinery 29 Beauty Editorial

2015, Refinery 29 & Natalie Suarez of Natalie Off Duty Video Editorial

2015, WWD Editorial

2015, Harper’s Bazaar Magazine Kazakhstan Editorial

2014, Refinery 29 Wedding Guide

2014, Essence Magazine Editorial

2014, More Magazine Japan Editorial

2014, Tush Magazine Germany Editorial

2014, Allure Magazine Editorial

2014, Vogue China Magazine Editorial

2014, New York Magazine Weddings Edition Editorial

2014, Cosmopolitan Magazine Editorial

2014-2016, Instyle Magazine - several editions editorials

2014, Interview Magazine Editorial

2013, Metalsmith Magazine Article mention

2012, A Girl’s Best Friend - Creative Jewelry Design Book, Gestalten, Featured

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Artist Residency_

2024-2025, Ceramics and Jewelry, Gasper Arts Center

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Teaching_

2025, Basic Silver Rings Workshop at Gasper Arts Center, Dania Beach, FL

2025, Basic Earrings Workshop at Gasper Arts Center, Dania Beach, FL

2018, Corporate Jewelry Workshops at Pop Sugar HQ, Los Angeles, CA

2018, Corporate Holidays Jewelry Workshop at Thumbtack HQ, San Francisco, CA

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Education_

Plant-based Culinary Arts, Food Future Institute, Santa Monica - CA(remote), 2021

Foraging and Culinary use of local and invasive species in Southern CA, Pascal Baudar, Sylmar, CA, 2019

User Experience Design Certificate, General Assembly, Los Angeles - CA, 2017

Goldsmithing Basics, Brooklyn Metal Works, Brooklyn - NY, 2015

Silversmith and Lost wax, Studio 174, Brooklyn - NY, 2005

Scholarship Program for Visual Communication Design and Ryukyuan Culture and

Crafts Heritage, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, Naha - Okinawa, Japan, 1999 - 2000

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design, Faculdade Santa Marcelina, São Paulo, Brazil, Feb1995 - Dec1998