Announcement: Akita Sumire Trunk Show 7/13(SAT)-16(TUE) @ Uehara Store

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Uehara will be holding a trunk show featuring ceramic artist Sumire Akita from Saturday, July 13th to Tuesday, July 16th, 2024.

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As a photographer, when I take portraits, especially full-body shots, what is captured is not just the person's face, but their "presence." When creating a series of photos, it becomes a collection of these presences, revealing an undeniable essence.

Actors, in particular, are constantly exposed to the public eye, and I believe the consistency of their presence is crucial. I think people who can consistently express their unique strengths, whether they are beautiful, intense, graceful, or expansive, are powerful. If there is a contradiction in their presence, it will be immediately noticed, and their work will show flaws. Alternatively, appearing to have no assertiveness is also a form of presence.

When I looked at Sumire Akita's works lined up, I was reminded of the above-mentioned feelings I usually experience in my photography work.

Akita's works have an intensely consistent presence.

They are delicate, intricate, and somewhat ephemeral, with a romantic quality that evokes a sense of nostalgia. However, looking at the application of glazes and the treatment of the footrings, I felt a modernity I had never experienced before.

Not just imitating old Karatsu ware, but the designs intertwine with exceptional taste, creating a satisfying sense of intentional design. The strength of presence felt from a single piece is, when viewed as a whole, consistent throughout, with no contradictions.

I believe she has a clear ideal in her mind, and her hands are able to follow that vision. There's a boldness in her work, which is clearly expressed as design in each piece.

And what I like most is how she embraces imperfection as an asset to her work. Looking at the back, and the balance between the glaze application and the clay body, one can see that Akita captures a moment with considerable daring. And the accidental burst of moisture is truly stylishly integrated into the work.

One of the origins of her design that the artist mentioned was Michelangelo's "Rondanini Pietà." While incomplete and superficially contradictory, it possesses a strong core, a consistent sense of body, and a beauty brought forth by its incompleteness. It's a work where it's hard to imagine adding or subtracting anything more with a chisel.

Akita's works consistently possess such a fragile beauty. The rich texture characteristic of wood-fired kilns also makes one imagine the enormous effort and time the artist invested, bringing forth a profound sense of reverence.

Akita, who graduated from Musashino Art University with a specialization in ceramics, told us that the reason she chose ceramics was: "During my first year, I experienced all the craft majors, and clay was the material that felt most natural to me. I also wanted to create things that could be used in daily life."

True to her words, she offers a range of items and sizes that are not only beautiful but also incredibly useful for everyday life. Each piece feels exceptionally good in the hand.

Akita, who moved from Tokyo to Karatsu and studied under Masahiro Takehana, I was convinced that her work is both artistic and technical. The artist continues to produce her works in Karatsu, having built her own climbing kiln there.

A life surrounded by Akita's pottery must be wonderful. It will surely bring a little richness to everyday life and introduce a change. That is what we at FOOD FOR THOUGHT aim for.

During the exhibition, please come to Uehara and experience the "presence of vessels." These are works that you absolutely must see now.

The entire staff looks forward to your visit.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Takahiro Igarashi

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Sumire Akita Ceramic Artist Biography

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1995

Graduated from Musashino Art University, Ceramics Department in 2018

Studied under Masahiro Takehana in 2018

Independent / Built own kiln in 2022-23

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"Sumire Akita Trunk Show"

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Uehara
1F, 2-33-4 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0064

03-6416-8294

July 13th (Sat) - July 16th (Tue)

11:00-18:00