11 Sep - 17 Oct ‘21: Kasama Potters at British Ceramics Biennial 2021

British Ceramics Biennial, The Goods Yard, Stoke-on-Trent
Dates: 11th September - 17th October
Opening times: Wednesday - Sunday 10.00 - 17.00

Gilan Sagawa and Takahiro Manome

The Kasama Potters project will showcase a collection of ceramic wares at the British Ceramics Biennial 2021. The exhibition is part of a ‘Ceramic Cities Exchange’ between Kasama and Stoke-on-Trent. Alongside Kasama’s potters, makers from both Staffordshire University and Clay College Stoke will be involved in the exhibition. The British Ceramics Biennial places an important emphasis on international projects, working with various organisations and cooperatives to support artist exchange programmes that enhance creative and cultural dialogues. 

Creative connection: Kasama and Stoke-on-Trent
Since 2019, the city of Kasama has enjoyed a creative connection with Stoke-on-Trent, a city that has long been the centre of the UK’s ceramic industry. A Kasama Potters exhibition at the British Ceramics Biennial 2019 cemented the connection. The 2021 exhibition aims to build on this: it will highlight the relationship between Kasama and Stoke-on-Trent as cities with an important ceramic heritage and a thriving contemporary ceramic scene.

In Kasama, its many potters are part of a unique pottery region—uninhibited by tradition, they are free to follow their own aesthetic values. In 1992, Kasama-ware was recognised by Japan’s national government as a Japanese Traditional Craft. The city’s Ceramic Art Museum, College of Ceramic Art, and a yearly pottery festival (‘Himatsuri’), have each contributed to Kasama’s growth as a remarkable pottery centre. Above all, its ceramicists are actively bringing a new focus to the region, both in Japan and internationally.

With a centuries-old history in the production of ceramics, Stoke-on-Trent is famous for its pottery industry. Today, the city hosts the British Ceramics Biennial, first launched in 2009. Moreover, it benefits from having Staffordshire University’s MA in Ceramics, recognised worldwide as a leading postgraduate programme, and Clay College Stoke. Opened in September 2017, Clay College teaches practical pottery skills and design, and its diploma offers students the opportunity to become self-sufficient makers.

Yukihito Nakata and Hiroshi Ōtsu

‘Ceramic Cities Exchange’ and Kasama masterclasses
The ‘Ceramic Cities Exchange’ at the British Ceramics Biennial 2021 will highlight the artistic talents of established and up-and-coming ceramicists. The exhibition features potters from the Kasama Potters project, Staffordshire University, and Clay College Stoke. It seeks to focus attention on the importance of intercultural exchange and its relation to the impact of place as a catalyst for creative innovation and excellence.

Gilan Sagawa

During the Biennial, two special masterclasses will offer an insight into the work of two of Kasama’s potters. On 24th September, Gilan Sagawa will take part in a masterclass with Clay College Stoke, via a video demonstration and live Q&A. Gilan is one of Kasama’s emerging generation of potters and is actively involved in the contemporary revival movement for Japanese slipware pottery. On 15th October, Michitaka Fukuno will take part in a masterclass with Staffordshire University (again via a video demonstration and live Q&A). Fukuno is an important potter in Kasama, with a highly original style that revolves around pattern and form.

The British Ceramics Biennial takes place from 11th September–17th October 2021 (Wednesday–Sunday, 10.00–17.00) at The Goods Yard, Stoke-on-Trent.

Michitaka Fukuno

British Ceramics Biennial, The Goods Yard, Stoke-on-Trent
Dates: 11th September - 17th October
Opening times: Wednesday - Sunday 10.00 - 17.00