Keiko Masumoto
Born 1982, Hyogo Prefecture
“To disrupt the master - servant relationship between vessels and their decoration”: This is a theme that Keiko Masumoto has been pursuing for many years. In the energetic and humorous works in the current exhibit, Pokémon appear to jump from the vessels, or are cut out of the forms of vessels. When Masumoto was told about the concept of this exhibition, she immediately decided on Fire- type Pokémon. According to Masumoto, “It’s a simplistic reason, but that’s because fire is inseparable from pottery.” She then began exploring the option of firing in an anagama , a type of kiln that goes back to ancient times. This was the first time Masumoto had attempted full-scale production of Shigaraki ware.* The look and form of the ceramics can easily change depending on how it is placed in the kiln and how the firewood is thrown in. The super-heavyweight Charizard was about three times as deformed as expected, but this was connected to the power of the anagama and “shows the unique charm of this type of kiln.” * Shigaraki ware is a type of pottery made in Shiga Prefecture since the 12th century.
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