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Japanese ceramist fired up by local techniques
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AFTER almost four decades living in the UK, Japanese Potter Takeshi Yasuda moved to China’s pottery capital, Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province, in 2004. A collection of his latest works are now on display in Hangzhou.
“Art is a product of culture, and culture is a product of people’s lives,” Yasuda told Shanghai Daily. “Different cultures hold different standards of beauty and art, and we need to respect the differences.”
Yasuda’s own works are also based on Japanese culture, particularly in their minimalist, Zen-like designs. The artist has been using Chinese porcelain materials and techniques predominently though since he settled in Jingdezhen.
Yasuda and his English wife, Felicity Aylieff, who is also a successful ceramist, along with Chinese ceramic artist and curator Xiong Baixu, established RedHouse Ceramic Design Studio in Jingdezhen in 2011.
At the exhibition in Hangzhou, which runs through January 16, most of Yasuda’s pieces are of bluish white celadon, like much of his output since moving to China.
His celadon gold bowls are representative of his celadon series. The bowls with lusterous gold interior exude a warm glow and is a shape like a drop of water that just hit the ground.
A video at the exhibition shows how the bowls got their unique shape. Yasuda firstly produced a flat ball of china clay, then flings it heavily on the ground. Some pinching and kneading are also required.
“It’s a dialogue between man and material,” said Yasuda. “Pottery is solid, but it can flow too.”
Celadon glazing was widely used by Chinese craftsmen during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and Jingdezhen was a major center of celadon-ware production.
Celadon is a whitish-blue glazing technique. The final color of the glaze is affected by the shape of the ware and firing patterns. On brims and bulging areas where the glaze is thin, the color appears light; while on concave surfaces, the glaze is thick and therefore the color is darker. Yasuda, amazed by the peculiarities of this technique, has been making his own celadon series in Jingdezhen for the past seven years.
“Discovering things I don’t know about is part of my personal character,” says Yasuda. “Learning new skills is always good, but it is better if I can develop my own skills based on them.”
Besides of his celadon gold bowls, he has also made water jugs, cups, mini vases, and plates that incorporate the artist’s own thoughts and ideas.
The jugs, cups, vases and plates are moulded. One mould produces less than 12 pieces. All of his moulded wares feature a line in the middle, which is actually from a joint in the mould. “Factories remove these lines, but I want to save them as part of the design,” said the Japanese artist.
He uses other personal touches as well. By carving two sides of the mini vase mould, he makes each peice “grow” two wings which conjure the image of snow-capped mountains. This technique is also used on his cup handles.
“The rugged part is an innovative contrast to the smooth body,” explained Yasuda. “So when you hold it, you feel the difference.”
“He is not a designer who first has an idea and then makes pottery,” said Xiong Baixu, his partner. “Yasuda is an artist who creates while thinking.”
Xiong says that the Japanese potter also develops his own machines and equipment to transform his thoughts into real artworks.
For example, he uses an industrial high-pressure injection pump to make experimental pottery pieces with a pressure cooker.
“It looks like a simple machine,” says Xiong. “Many people have visited our studio and wanted to copy it, yet no one has succeeded so far.”
The artist says they will establish a company in Jingdezhen in the near future. “Jingdezhen is exciting because young people and foreigners come here; diverse cultures meet here, so it is culturally expanding.”
The exhibition also includes photos showing the process of how Yasuda’s celadon wares are moulded, glazed and fired.
Date: Through January 16, 2017
Address: 48 Hupao Rd
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