Shigaraki, a town known for its pottery, is located east of Kyoto. This is where Sumiko Aoki lives with her husband and three boys. She is a ceramicist of some note – and this morning I went to her talk and exhibition at https://paperboatpress.com/. Its on until the 12th of April.

Rumour has it that when Sumiko exhibits at the craft fairs in Shikaragi buyers have a limit to how many of her pieces they can buy. I can believe it. I popped in yesterday as the exhibition was opening but with an impatient husband in the car ( I should have known better ) I could not spend enough time browsing so I went back today to hear her and see the artwork. Every piece had been sold.

Here are some of her pieces which the Gallery owner said were unashamedly decorative and you can see why. Sumiko hand rolls or coils her ceramics and never uses a wheel. She uses the famous Shikaragi clay and works slowly and takes her inspiration from nature – there are butterflies and flowers on her pieces and delicate dandelions which were my favourites, clouds and birds which fly the skies whatever the time of day.

 

Shy and modest she talked about her love of clay. She takes time away to reconnect herself with what is around her.