Bright colors and gentle patterns that seem to speak to you softly. We spoke to Ms. Aki Ota, a ceramicist in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, about her thoughts on her creations.
After graduating from university, he spent more than a decade working as a businessman. During that time, tableware was always somewhere in Ota's heart. She would visit tableware shops, go to exhibitions by artists, and drop in at folk craft shops when he was traveling. The tableware he came across in these experiences is still lined up in his cupboard, quietly passing the years.
"I started to think it would be great if I could make something as wonderful as this."
Determined, Ms. Ota went on to art college and began his journey as a potter. After graduating, she worked as an assistant in a pottery class, gradually cultivating his own unique style of expression. As you talk, you can sense Ms. Ota's deep love for pottery.
"Just looking at brightly colored animals and plants brightens your mood. So I would be happy if I could gently bring that same little bit of joy to the hearts of those who pick up my books."
In addition to works featuring gentle motifs that softly emerge against a soft, matte white background, recently she has been working on creating works using transparent glazes in pursuit of an even softer look.
As I test the compatibility of paints and glazes over and over again, it is as if I am breathing a gentle, relaxing air into the vessel, little by little.
The warmth you can feel in your hands. Ms. Ota's pottery will surely envelop you in gentle comfort no matter what day you are in.
Ms. Aki Ota's works are available here
