ABOUT THE WORK

I work with thrown and altered vessels exploring the malleability of wet clay inspired by landscape elements. The forms are manipulated to capture the movement, softness and fluidity of the material leaving marks and textures on the surface which preserve moments from the making process. Using coarse stoneware clay, some of the marks and textures are strong and bold and others subtle and fragile, enhancing both the tactile and visual qualities of my pieces. Sensual glazes are then applied.

Born and raised in a very rural part of Japan, surrounded by mountain ranges, a connection with clay goes back to my upbringing.  For me clay and soil are closely related. My childhood playground was the agricultural fields and land that my parents worked and from childhood I was aware that soil played a significant role for my family in making a living from nature. Having lived in England over ten years for me working with clay is almost like going back to the way I was brought up in Japan.

The rural Japanese environment has been a big influence on my work as well as the kent environment where I now live. The forms and textures are inspired by the undulating rural landscape. The landscape features such as the curves and rhythms of hills and the textures and patterns of agricultural land have been always close to me and continue to inspire me. Other influences include traditional Japanese ceramics, ink painting and calligraphy.