Texture: Chikako Inaba, Nami Takahashi, Midori Uchida

Shuko Inaba has a studio in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture (Japan), where she works in the motif of leaves. Leaves are often found lying on the ground, filled with water, which expresses a notion of acceptance towards its surroundings. Each of her works, titled “Youki", meaning "Leaf Vessels,”  are formed by making thin individual strips of clay that resemble the flow of veins and the tips of the curled leaves, representing a sense of vitality and intention.

 

Midori Uchida is a ceramic artist based in Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture (Japan). The excentuated smooth and beautiful contours in her works are created by hand-twisting. The gradation of the surface is produced by carbonizing and firing with rice husks. The layering of colors with depth evokes nostalgic landscapes and geological strata that have been gradually formed since ancient times.

 

Nami Takahashi, who lives and works in Nerima-ku, Tokyo (Japan) is inspired by the beautiful lines and vital forms of seeds, fruits, and flower buds found in the natural world. Using the casting technique, Takahashi creates works with the help of sharp and soft white materials, which are characterized by beautiful pale shades and a curvy yet somehow interesting appearance.