Today I wanted to share 2 potters that I recently discovered, both of whom are Japanese. They both create functional pottery yet stylistically they couldn’t be farther apart.

Thirty two-year old potter Ryota Aoki has had a fairly distinguished career so far. His work has appeared twice in the prestigious Takaoka Craft Competition – Bijoux, his 2nd attempt in 2005, won him the top prize. Bijoux went on to win silver at the 4th World Ceramic Biennial in 2007.

What I admire about Aoki’s work is that it possesses a strong energy that enhances the imagination of the user. The sculptural beauty is perhaps the one defining feature that sets Aoki’s work apart from his contemporaries.

Thanks for the tip Masako!

Related: