The vessels with their humorous expressions capture your heart at first sight. They look as if they are grinning or a little silly. The potter Kyoko Kitashiro, a potter in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, creates such fun and charming pieces.
"While I was working as an office worker, I became interested in pottery and started attending pottery classes. I became completely fascinated by the joy of working with clay, and after that I graduated from pottery school and have been doing it ever since."
Ms. Kitadai is particularly fascinated by old dyed pottery. While incorporating the tasteful techniques, she creates playful and slightly mischievous designs that will make you chuckle.
They are things that make you smile every time you use them, and even if something unpleasant happens, when you see them you think, "Oh well, it's okay!" That is the kind of fun that her products are.
Ms. Kitadai has two beloved cats in her life . She is inspired by the gestures and expressions of her cats in her daily life, and her work naturally incorporates their essence. The charming expressions of these laid-back animals are irresistible.
The pieces are made using a potter's wheel and molds, and all the small accessories are finished by hand. This gives each piece a slightly different look, and a warm finish that conveys the warmth of the hands.
The porcelain clay used means that there is little crazing and it is difficult to get dirty. It is also easy to clean, so you will find yourself picking it up every day. It is like a favorite stuffed animal, and you will find it always beside you.
Her pottery is a joy to hold and makes you want to talk to it. I'm sure it is bringing laughter and warmth to someone's life today too.
Click here for a list of works by Ms. Kyoko Kitadai
