Pearl & Heart
Artist: Edi Matsumoto
Sponsor: Edi Matsumoto Gallery
Location: Mission btwn 5th & 6th
Photos: Michael Troutman, DTM Imaging
About Pearl & Heart
Pearl & Heart brings together two beloved characters from Edi Matsumoto’s Otter Therapy™ series: the Otter with a Pearl Earring and the Valentine Otter, gently cradling a heart-shaped shell.
A shimmering line of gold separates and connects the two figures, while graceful curlicues and scattered pearls give the piece a sense of elegance and movement.
Inspired by the joy these otters have brought to members of the local community and visitors from around the world, Edi envisioned a timeless piece for the home—one that quietly greets its viewer each day with a smile, a sense of lightness, and a touch of love.
About Edi Matsumoto
Edi Matsumoto was born and raised in Japan. Her maternal great-grandfather was a traditional Japanese artist who painted birds, flowers, and snow-capped mountains using an ink brush technique. She grew up in an environment where art was valued. Her interest
in art was cultivated at an early age.
Edi Matsumoto holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Tsukuba University in Japan. After traveling around Southeast Asia exploring cultures and volunteering at the Mother Theresa’s Home for the Dying Destitutes in Calcutta, India, she came to the U.S. She earned a Master’s degree in Nursing, and she has worked in the healthcare field for nearly thirty years.
Encouraged by her husband, Fred, who saw her sketch (left bottom) from 20 years prior, Matsumoto began taking art classes at a community college. In 2018, she earned her second Master’s degree in Fine Art from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.