Warren Mackenzie continues his conversation with fellow potter Randy Johnston. MacKenzie looks back at time spent with Bernard Leach in St Ives. They discuss the influence of Japanese ceramics and the importance of making affordable functional ware.
Shimaoka
Bending the Rules of Tradition
At the very end of the main street in Mashiko there is a three-way junction. To the right is the road to Kasama, a neighbouring town also known for its pottery; to the left, the Town Hall and the bus stop for the (very early) bus to Tokyo. Straight ahead is a quiet country lane … Read more
Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | The Intangible Spirit
Our documentary tells the story of one of Japan’s most respected studio potters, Ken Matsuzaki. Set against the backdrop of his picturesque Mashiko studio in Japan, it gives a revealing insight into his creative journey and his philosophy on art and working practice. Born into an artistic family, Matsuzaki talks of his apprenticeship with National Living Treasure, Tatsuzo Shimaoka and the subsequent difficulties in finding his own voice. We hear how his pottery town was decimated by the terrible earthquake of 2011 and the international efforts to rebuild it. We see him at work in his studio and we are taken to his exhibitions in Japan and England and hear of his desire now to encourage younger Mashiko potters to be true to themselves as artists and promote them on a world stage.
Inspire Me | Randy Johnston | The Sprituality of Clay
Randy Johnston turns footrings on yunomi in his Wisconsin studio and explains his preference for the manual wheel. He considers the notion of “the memory of clay” and it’s receptivity as a material for emotional expression while appreciating the Japanese learned casualness in Shimaoka’s throwing technique.
Inspire Me | Randy Johnston | Early Inspiration
American potter Randy Johnston turning foot rings on a batch of yunomi muses on the power of pots to promote conversation and evoke memories. He recalls how fate conspired to bring him under the tutelage of the great Warren MacKenzie and reflects upon his Japanese apprenticeship and the myriad of influences that have affected his approach to line and form.