Setting up and the Opening Eve at Craft In The Bay

The lovely gallery of Craft In The Bay, Cardiff. 

A thank you to the staff who as always were wonderful in helping me set up (while jet-lagged)

I was amused that I seem to be mimicking my standing Kistune (fox) statue behind me.

As there were many influences, especially Japanese Folklore that has gone into each of my pieces I provided some extra explanations to help people understand. I will be writing a new post soon about the mythologies I encountered. So keep a eye out for that!

Opening evening

A thank you to my mum who provided me with all the extra help you forget to ask for.

My work is at Craft In The Bay from 12th July- 1st September.

Guest Makers Exhibition at Craft In The Bay

I have raced back to Wales to help set up my work at Craft In the Bay, still jet-lagged but loving the experience. The Opening for my work and the Summer show is Friday 12th July 2013 6-8pm. I haven't got any photos (yet...) to share with you so here is my Artist Statement to entice you to come see my work!

Work from Shigaraki Artist-In- Residency Program 2^nd April- 2^nd July 2013

My new collection of work has been created around the theme of ‘Transformation’ and continues on from my inspiration of the Trickster character that exists in almost every culture. The narrative elements of Trickster's shape shifting abilities and the disruptive creativity is always in my work.

I went to Japan for an artist residency not just because of Japan's rich and revered history of ceramic art but a chance to explore my Japanese heritage, to understand the influences and beauty seen through another culture's perspective. From the beginning of my project I wanted to be influenced by, not imitate, Japanese Art. This exhibition gives a contemporary view of Japan's traditional narratives that captures the creative imagination which I believe is still relevant today.

Nature, from the environment surrounding Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, had the biggest impact on me. The beauty of the surrounding forests and rice fields, the nature trails and the breath-taking Sakura, Cherry Blossoms, inspired me. I also truly understood for the first time the Japanese Artists passion to represent the changing seasons in their many art forms. Nature, as experienced by me during 3 months I spent in Shigaraki truly helped me to connect to my Japanese heritage.

With nature as my guide my theme of Transformation took on a more subtle approach. In life we may crave for sudden changes in good fortune, but in reality, and the ideas of Zen Buddhism (so influential in Japanese Art) these changes take a slower but more purposeful journey.

All my pieces express the initial stages of transformation. The ‘kitsune’ (Japanese word for fox) is familiar in Japanese's folktales for turning into a beautiful woman adorned in a Kimono. However in my mind the fox starts with a scrap of cloth, which the fox has the talent to transorm eventually into a beautiful kimono, an artform in itself. ‘Kintaro’ or golden boy is paused in thought before avenging his mother’s death (she was eaten by a giant carp). He is on the brink of leaving his childhood behind and will become a hero in Japanese folklore. The hands of Disruptive Creativity symbolise the possible changes in the future for good and bad. Ideas like seeds implant themselves and develop from there.

Craft In The Bay Website:
http://www.makersguildinwales.org.uk/index.php

My exhibition at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park!

My work is fired finished and and set up!

I will add the professional photos to the portfolio section of my blog and website, so take a look! 

Miho Museum and final works (in progress)

Check out Miho Museum website http://www.miho.or.jp/english/

It a beautifully designed museum with carefully selected works of art antiques, which shows as everything was an amazing example. Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take photos.

My final pieces

My Japanese fox, the folklores tell of stories where they shape shift into beautiful women in kimonos. I always wondered where they got the kimonos from so I got the idea of their ability to change a rag of cloth into a decorated kimono

Kintaro, a famous folk-tale character also called 'Golden Boy'. A well know story is where he wrestles with a giant carp under a waterfall, who has eathen his mother. I was attracted to the idea of the tension before the fight and the thoughts going on inside. Being in Shigaraki and having been surrounded by the park, mountains and waterfalls I have really come to appreciate it, and it was this very Japanese feeling towards nature that Kintaro represents and I wanted to make something to remember that.

Anagama firing (take 2)

Starting fire is very small to slowly increase the heat, its easy to ramp up the kiln temperature increasable fast.

Kojima san (pictured above in green) was doing the 1am to 9am shift! and had perfect throwing technique! which I tried to capture on camera.

I had the shifts of 4am to 9am, and after some practice got the hang of throwing in the wood just where I wanted it to go instead of hitting the bricks.

To help the wood ash spread throughout the kiln a very long shovel is used.

Looking inside the kiln it is so beautiful and fascinating (the photos don't to it justice) and when the ash piles up it resembles shimmering gold.

A week later the kiln is cool enough (just about) to open

Dai Rong LEE's exhibition

My fellow Artist-In-Residence, Dai Rong from Taiwan has put up her exhibition!

This piece is off to Kanazawa, for a International Exhibition

Tanuki and Hanko stamps

Ceramic Tanuki statues (raccoons) are everywhere in Shigaraki, its famous for making Raccoons and  Frogs to bring luck and business.  They even use it to make pancake like sweets filled with sweet red beans or custard called Taiyaki (delicious).

There is a Tanuki festival happening in October and are getting many artists to decorate and donate one.

This one is mine, though I haven't decided what to do with it yet.

One of the major things I have noticed in my adventure is the importance of the artist signature  In Japan everyone has a 'Hanko' stamp used instead of handwriting a signature. This tradition hasn't died away with the contemporary world which I love, and the artistic design isn't just of the stamp kanji but the handle as well.

These are a few of my fathers Hankos

I made a few for my ceramic work. Starting from the left, Saya in Kanji, my surname Yanagi in Kanji, my hand print and my Initials. Which one do you think I should use?

Quick weekend trip to Kyoto and Osaka

I know its been a long time between this post and my last, blame my new laptop for dying!? and because I'm in Japan getting it fixed took so much longer with the extra hurdles to jump through.  grr...anyway so much to catch up on!

Went back to Kyoto again, only for 1 day to try and see the National Museum which was shut AGAIN!.

 but opposite was Sanjusangendo, a Buddist Temple.

Famous for its 1001 Kannon statues, or Goddess of Mercy (not allowed to photograph so got this off the internet) The arms actually 42 but representing 1000 which in turn represents infinity each carrying a symbol. Their mission is to stay and help on earth until everyone is able to reache enlightenment.

On the veranda, traditionally held a annual archery contest

Ryoanji Temple, famous for its rock gardens, suggesting islands and waves of the sea.

Tourist and picturesque photo above...and reality below.

Lots of school kids on a trip so not the tranquillity I was expecting but apparently its always busy.

The surrounding garden was the star for me.

The next day early off to Osaka to see a exhibition on Yokai, supernatural creatures from Japanese Folklore.

Once again not allowed to take pictures, but if you love strange and mischievous creatures read a few yokai myths for yourself.