There’s a Boston gallery that specializes in fine Japanese crafts, Keiko Gallery, which is right near my house. I can’t wait to go by as I’m seriously into one of the artists they represent, Niisato Akio, a porcelain artist. According to their site he did a workshop at Harvard in March 2009, I wasn’t living in Boston yet at the time but I’ll be sure to look out for him the next time he comes through.
I’ve looked at ceramicists who have drilled holes in their works before like Tony Marsh and it’s interesting that this is a dominant trait of Japanese and Chinese artists. Niisato uses his skills to throw thin vessels, drill patterns in them (I can’t imagine) and then uses a glaze in the final firing that creates these little light textures on the pieces.
I love how the threads of dots are overlapping, it looks like strings of pearls.
I think I like this stuff because it’s like a more modern take on my mother’s china, which has raised repetitive dot patterns but no color.
Niisato is only 33 and creating these delicate and amazing pieces.
The only thing I’m not sure is what to do with these pieces. I imagine them in a kitchen, on a mantle or in a bathroom but I know as vessels they should be used. Maybe as bud vases or vases or perhaps for jewelry.
The asymmetrical one above is my favorite that I’ve seen so far. I hope to go to Keiko soon, once the snow stops, and see what they’ve got!
Tags: porcelain, pottery, repetitive