Born in Japan to and architect father and a mother who liked to sew and make puppets, Misaki Kawai seems to have abosorbed the talents of both of her parents in her own unique way. Since childhood she has enjoyed drawing, sewing, and making toys and dolls. She continues to employ these practices on a larger scale today, using, in her sculpture and installations, a riot of methods to make nearly every object appearing her miniature worlds. And although her mother's needlework was impeccable, Misaki favored a more haphazard handmade look.

Misaki Kawai has had solo exhibitions around the world, including the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo; and has been featured in shows at PS1 and Deitch Projects in New York. She is currently represented by Take Ninagawa in Tokyo and Galleri Loyal in Sweden.