Current Work

A pot is not complete until it is in use, and so my work is designed for food and function. Wood fired porcelaineous functional ware is my main focus. Plates and bowls, cups and vessels designed to enhance both Japanese and Western cuisine. The works are made in collaboration with the force of nature, using environmentally responsible firing techniques. I draw on both oriental and occidental traditions, but incorporate modern technology to create work relevant to the contemporary lifestyle.

Work generally available from:
In the UK:
Oakwood Ceramics
St Ives Gallery (John Bedding) St Ives

In Japan:
Ebiya Bijutsuten, 3-2-18 Muromachi, Nihombashi, Tokyo 103-0022
Gallery St Ives, Tokyo
Mashikoya, Oyama, Tochigi-ken
Craft Ichigoya, Iwate-ken
Gallery ZEN, Sendai, Miyagi-ken
Tohboh Mashiyama, Mashiko, Tochigi-ken

Work is also available direct from the “Washitsu” Gallery at Euan’s studio.

Technical Information

The pots are generally wheel thrown and decorated partially with chattering, incising and impressed designs. The clay is a blend of Japanese porcelain and stoneware, bringing out the best qualities of both materials, including translucency and durability. Partial glazing is done at the raw stage with glazes made of locally obtained materials. The remaining body is left bare to be glazed and marked by the natural flame and ash effects of the wood firing, as well as straw marking left by the careful placement of Japanese “Igusa” straw. They are once fired under reduction from raw to 1300c+ in 14 hours in an original design wood fired kiln. The kiln was originally designed by Euan in 1994 and uses only a small amount of recycled wood to achieve the desired effects. A small amount of Soda Ash is introduce with the wood at the end of the firing to enhance the wood effects. The firing process is designed to be as environmentally responsible as possible while expressing the gentle beauty of the forces of nature.

History

1964 Born in Melbourne, Australia
1978 Began potting in Bendigo, Australia
1981 First prize for Ceramics, Bendigo Show, Bendigo , Victoria
1981 Graduated Bendigo TAFE College, T.O.P. Art and Design
1984 Winner of the Kamel Kilns Ceramics Award
1985 Delegate to 4th National Potters Conference, Melbourne
1985 Graduated Latrobe University, Bendigo, BA Arts, Ceramic Design
1985 Established Studio Pottery in Swan Hill, Australia
1990 Moved to Japan
1991 Apprenticed to Tatsuzo Shimaoka, National Living Treasure, Mashiko, Japan
1993 Certificate of Japanese Language Proficiency
1994 Established independent Pottery and Wood fired kiln, Mashiko
2000 Moved kiln and studio to Ichikai, Japan

Exhibitions

1984 Group Exhibition at Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne
1984 Victorian Ceramics Group Exhibition, Melbourne
1987 Solo Exhibition, Swan Hill
1987 Sculptural work presented by City of Swan Hill to sister city Yamagata, Japan
1988 Solo Exhibition at Swan Hill Regional Gallery of Contemporary Art
1990 Group Exhibition in Mashiko, Japan
1990 Group Exhibition in Mohka, Japan
1992 Solo Exhibition, Utsunomiya, Japan
1992 Participant and demonstrator at Mashiko Pottery Festival, Mashiko (Annually since)
1993 Solo Exhibition, Mashiko, Japan
1993 Exhibited at the 18th Unesco International Art Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Gallery
1993 Solo Exhibition at Ebiya Gallery, Nihombashi, Tokyo, Japan
1993 Represented Australian Ceramics for the Australian Embassy's nation wide
1993 Celebrate Australia" promotion, Japan
1994 Solo Exhibition at Gallery in the Blue, Utsunomiya, Japan
1995 Solo Exhibition at Ebiya Gallery, Nihombashi, Tokyo, Japan
1996 Solo Exhibition at Gallery in the Blue, Utsunomiya, Japan
1997 Installation at Yokohama International Open Air Art Exhibition '97
1997 (Participated also as member of the Executive Committee)
1997 Solo Exhibition at Gallery in the Blue, Utsunomiya, Japan
1998 Solo Exhibition at Galleria Viento, Utsunomiya
1998 Participating artist in “Art Walk” open studio event, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
1998 Solo Exhibition at Ebiya Gallery, Nihombashi, Tokyo, Japan (Annually since)
2001 Participating artist in “Japanese Links” exhibition, St Ives, UK
2001 Participating artist in “Art Walk” open studio event, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
2003 Participant at Murata Pottery Festival, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan (Annually since)
2004 Solo exhibition at Ceramic Art Gallery, Sydney,Australia
2005 Solo exhibition at Gallery Ciel, Utsunomiya, Japan
2006 Solo exhibition “Garaku” Gallery/Restaurant, Omiya, Japan
2006 Exhibition at Gallery ZEN, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
2006 Solo exhibition a Gallery St Ives, Tokyo
2007 Tokyo Dome Tableware Festival, Tokyo

Workshops and Lectures

1992 Workshop for Sydney Ceramics Study Group, Sydney, Australia
1992 Workshop for Central Coast Potters Association, Gosford, Australia
2000 Workshop for Taipei International School, Mashiko Japan
2000 Workshop for International School of the Sacred Heart, Mashiko, Japan (Annually Since)
2000 Presenter and studio manager for “World Art Educators Workshop”,
2000 Mashiko, Japan (Annually since)
2001 Lecture at Rufford Craft Centre, UK
2001 Demonstration/ Workshop for St Ives September Festival, St Ives, UK
2003 Presenter at “Japan Colour Forum”, Japan Fashion Colour Association, Tokyo
2004 Workshop at Sydney University, College of the Arts, Sydney, Australia
2006 Workshop for American School in Japan, Mashiko, Japan

Collaboration Dinners

2005 “Garaku” Gallery and Restaurant, Omiya, Japan
2006 “Kappo Toyoda” Japanese Restaurant, Chef Touru Hashimoto, Tokyo, Japan
2006 “La Butte Boisee” French Restaurant, Chef Morishige, Tokyo, Japan
2007 “Kappo Toyoda” Japanese Restaurant, Chef Touru Hashimoto, Tokyo, Japan

Publications

English
1998 – “Mashiko: International Community of Potters.” Hannah Ross, Ceramics Technical No.7
2000 – “Modern Mashiko”, Mary Francis Flodin, February Issue
2001 – “Beneath the Masters Gate”, The Studio Potter, Volume 29 No.2
2003 – “Responsible Wood”, Ceramics Technical No.17
2004 – “Twice the Length from One End to the Middle”,
Ceramics Technical No.19
2004 – “A Potter in Japan”, Ceramics Art and Perception, Issue 56

Japanese
2003 – “A Journey in Search of Japan”, Kazuko Shindo,
Wafu Jikan (Magazine) No.2
2005 – “Choosing ceramics that feel perfect when you hold them”,
Masahiro Miyake, Brutus (Magazine), July Issue