Burning Red Vessel no. 6 (猩々緋彩器 no. 6), 2024
Akira Yamada
KYOTO, B. 1959
Akira Yamada’s career as a ceramic artist spans over three decades. He was mentored
under his father Hikaru Yamada, the renowned avant-garde ceramicist who founded
Sōdeisha (along with Yagi Kazuo and others). In his 40s, Yamada developed a technique
he calls "Shōjōhi” (or burning red) which involves an immensely intricate series of glazes,
gold and silver over glazing, and control of the kiln firing process.
The Shōjōhi (or burning red) series of ceramics are made of porcelain clay from Kyoto.
After shaping the pieces by hand, Yamada carves the shapes using a special knife,
thereafter firing it in the kiln, polishing the baked piece, and re-applying red clay to be fired
again at a higher temperature. After several firing processes, the artist paints each piece
with gold and silver overglaze that has been diluted. The process of painting and baking is
repeated over and over, for six times or more. The result is a very subtle metallic sheen
that creates a vivid and three-dimensional deep red.
“When creating my pieces, I strive to draw out the symbolism inherent in the color red
by perceiving the vessels as sculptures... My works are inspired by a range of images,
including ancient painted pottery and jade, and not from a single source of inspiration,
but rather from various images that have slowly been digested over time. Having
cycled through my consciousness, emerging and receding, fading from memory and
then re-entering it, ultimately materializing as concrete concepts.
The process and materials are vital components of my work. I have gone through
various experimentations and processes to achieve this color. For the creation of my
pieces, I use porcelain clay, typically used in Kiyomizu ware in Kyoto.”
–– Akira Yamada
Akira Yamada
KYOTO, B. 1959
Akira Yamada’s career as a ceramic artist spans over three decades. He was mentored
under his father Hikaru Yamada, the renowned avant-garde ceramicist who founded
Sōdeisha (along with Yagi Kazuo and others). In his 40s, Yamada developed a technique
he calls "Shōjōhi” (or burning red) which involves an immensely intricate series of glazes,
gold and silver over glazing, and control of the kiln firing process.
The Shōjōhi (or burning red) series of ceramics are made of porcelain clay from Kyoto.
After shaping the pieces by hand, Yamada carves the shapes using a special knife,
thereafter firing it in the kiln, polishing the baked piece, and re-applying red clay to be fired
again at a higher temperature. After several firing processes, the artist paints each piece
with gold and silver overglaze that has been diluted. The process of painting and baking is
repeated over and over, for six times or more. The result is a very subtle metallic sheen
that creates a vivid and three-dimensional deep red.
“When creating my pieces, I strive to draw out the symbolism inherent in the color red
by perceiving the vessels as sculptures... My works are inspired by a range of images,
including ancient painted pottery and jade, and not from a single source of inspiration,
but rather from various images that have slowly been digested over time. Having
cycled through my consciousness, emerging and receding, fading from memory and
then re-entering it, ultimately materializing as concrete concepts.
The process and materials are vital components of my work. I have gone through
various experimentations and processes to achieve this color. For the creation of my
pieces, I use porcelain clay, typically used in Kiyomizu ware in Kyoto.”
–– Akira Yamada
Akira Yamada
KYOTO, B. 1959
Akira Yamada’s career as a ceramic artist spans over three decades. He was mentored
under his father Hikaru Yamada, the renowned avant-garde ceramicist who founded
Sōdeisha (along with Yagi Kazuo and others). In his 40s, Yamada developed a technique
he calls "Shōjōhi” (or burning red) which involves an immensely intricate series of glazes,
gold and silver over glazing, and control of the kiln firing process.
The Shōjōhi (or burning red) series of ceramics are made of porcelain clay from Kyoto.
After shaping the pieces by hand, Yamada carves the shapes using a special knife,
thereafter firing it in the kiln, polishing the baked piece, and re-applying red clay to be fired
again at a higher temperature. After several firing processes, the artist paints each piece
with gold and silver overglaze that has been diluted. The process of painting and baking is
repeated over and over, for six times or more. The result is a very subtle metallic sheen
that creates a vivid and three-dimensional deep red.
“When creating my pieces, I strive to draw out the symbolism inherent in the color red
by perceiving the vessels as sculptures... My works are inspired by a range of images,
including ancient painted pottery and jade, and not from a single source of inspiration,
but rather from various images that have slowly been digested over time. Having
cycled through my consciousness, emerging and receding, fading from memory and
then re-entering it, ultimately materializing as concrete concepts.
The process and materials are vital components of my work. I have gone through
various experimentations and processes to achieve this color. For the creation of my
pieces, I use porcelain clay, typically used in Kiyomizu ware in Kyoto.”
–– Akira Yamada