One of the greatest gifts of working in a craft tradition is building relationships with other practitioners and sharing inspiration with one another. Our long friendship with Akio Nukaga has been a great source of creative nourishment—not to mention fun—as we collaborate across geographies and time zones, and with other artists and mediums.
It’s a joy to bring Akio’s work to Heath in solo shows that shine a light on his evolution as an artist. His collections of one-of-a-kind, handmade ceramic vessels showcase his signature pleated technique alongside new approaches, including clay block print patterns and abstract forms inspired by Japanese kokeshi wooden dolls.
Akio lives and works in Kasama, Japan—a city north of Tokyo known for its active community of ceramic artists, and its history of pottery production dating back to the Edo period. Akio’s work reflects traditional Japanese form and technique, but connects as well to a contemporary aesthetic informed by Akio’s own network of creative peers working around the world.
It’s a joy to bring Akio’s work to Heath in solo shows that shine a light on his evolution as an artist. His collections of one-of-a-kind, handmade ceramic vessels showcase his signature pleated technique alongside new approaches, including clay block print patterns and abstract forms inspired by Japanese kokeshi wooden dolls.
Akio lives and works in Kasama, Japan—a city north of Tokyo known for its active community of ceramic artists, and its history of pottery production dating back to the Edo period. Akio’s work reflects traditional Japanese form and technique, but connects as well to a contemporary aesthetic informed by Akio’s own network of creative peers working around the world.
Where I stand today has a different view from last year. It is a slow journey but I’m always going forward... My newer techniques have a more rustic relationship with the clay that communicates my creative expression, and creates a sense of unity with the form of the vessel to make the work sculptural.
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