Kuwata Takuro

Photo: Kotake Koho

Kuwata is a ceramist and contemporary artist. A prominent figure in the new generation of potters inspired by contemporary art, manga, and subculture, Kuwata burst onto the scene in the 2010s, bringing a fresh perspective to the world of ceramics. His unique, humorous works employ vibrant colors and distinctive misshapen forms that have captivated domestic and international audiences. While Kuwata’s works may seem simple and naive, they are the result of a carefully calculated approach. The exhibition features a vast collection of unfinished works—the byproducts of Kuwata’s creative process. By showcasing the malformed and the incomplete, the installation turns sculptural ideals on their head, challenging and redefining our notions of beauty.

プロフィール

b. 1981 in Hiroshima Prefecture. After graduating from the Kyoto Saga University of Arts in 2001, Kuwata began an apprenticeship under ceramist Zaima Susumu in 2002. He graduated from the Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center in 2007. His recent exhibitions include Zungurimukkuri (Salon 94, New York, 2021) and Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art (Hayward Gallery, London, 2022). His past awards include special mention at the 2018 Loewe Craft Prize and the FY 2021 Japan Ceramics Association Award (2022).

[Past work] “Minoyaki,” 2023.
Photo: Sudo Kazuya