Aoi Huber Kono was born in Tokyo in 1936. Daughter of Takashi Kono, an important icon of Japanese graphic design, Aoi grew up in a creative environment that fostered her interest in graphics and art. After art high school, she graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. In 1960 she attended Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Stockholm where she studied Western typography. In 1961 she moved to Milan where she met Max Huber, whom she married in 1962 and with whom she shared an intense creative life until his passing in 1992. In 1970 Aoi and Max relocated to Sagno in Canton Ticino, Switzerland.

Aoi Huber Kono’s work ranges from graphic design, illustration, painting, and design. She designed and created illustrations for Japanese and Italian magazines, children’s books, designs for textiles, scarves, toys and tapestries. With her projects she collaborated with Bruno Munari, Achille Castiglioni, and Mario Botta. In the 1970s, she learned the technique of engraving with Angelo Tenchio and screen printing with Paolo Minoli. In 1976 she held her first solo exhibition in Zurich. In 2005 she founded the Max Museum in Switzerland, which she then donated to the City of Chiasso in 2010. In 2021 the Mendrisio Art Museum presented a solo exhibition of her works. Aoi lives and works in Novazzano in Canton Ticino, Switzerland.

Aoi Huber official website
https://www.aoihuberkono.ch/