Full artist talk available on our Youtube channel:
On May 24, 2024, District Clay Center (DCC) and Muddy Creek Pottery invite you to a free artist talk with renowned ceramic artist, Ken Matsuzaki.
Moderated by Noah Hughey-Commers of Muddy Creek Pottery, the Earth and Fire talk will dive into Matsuzaki’s life and work as a ceramic artist. A master of his craft, Matsuzaki has worked with clay since he was about 16 years old. In the years since, he has studied under Tatsuzo Shimaoka and established his own kiln in Mashiko, where he continues to make and fire work today. In some of his more recent work, Matsuzaki has abandoned the wheel. He is handbuilding, cutting away at the clay much as a sculptor would while maintaining the rugged character and energy of the raw clay. As an American wood-fire potter, Hughey-Commers will contrast Matsuzaki’s journey and practice with American studio ceramics, highlighting the unique qualities of Matsuzaki’s work.
A selection of Matsuzaki’s ceramics will be on display at DCC during the talk. Viewers will be able to appreciate the rugged, elemental character of Matsuzaki’s work in context of the experiences he shares. Earth and Fire marks the first time since 2008 that Matsuzaki has presented and spoken about his work in the DMV region. The talk precedes a weekend workshop with Matsuzaki at District Clay Center and a 4-day wood-firing at Muddy Creek Pottery. A translator will be present throughout the lecture.
To RSVP for the artist talk, please visit tinyurl.com/EFMatsuzaki.
Itinerary - Friday May 24, 2024:
Moderated by Noah Hughey-Commers of Muddy Creek Pottery, the Earth and Fire talk will dive into Matsuzaki’s life and work as a ceramic artist. A master of his craft, Matsuzaki has worked with clay since he was about 16 years old. In the years since, he has studied under Tatsuzo Shimaoka and established his own kiln in Mashiko, where he continues to make and fire work today. In some of his more recent work, Matsuzaki has abandoned the wheel. He is handbuilding, cutting away at the clay much as a sculptor would while maintaining the rugged character and energy of the raw clay. As an American wood-fire potter, Hughey-Commers will contrast Matsuzaki’s journey and practice with American studio ceramics, highlighting the unique qualities of Matsuzaki’s work.
A selection of Matsuzaki’s ceramics will be on display at DCC during the talk. Viewers will be able to appreciate the rugged, elemental character of Matsuzaki’s work in context of the experiences he shares. Earth and Fire marks the first time since 2008 that Matsuzaki has presented and spoken about his work in the DMV region. The talk precedes a weekend workshop with Matsuzaki at District Clay Center and a 4-day wood-firing at Muddy Creek Pottery. A translator will be present throughout the lecture.
To RSVP for the artist talk, please visit tinyurl.com/EFMatsuzaki.
Itinerary - Friday May 24, 2024:
- 6:00PM: Doors open
- 6:30PM: Talk begins
- 7:30 PM: Q&A session
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About Ken Matsuzaki:
Ken Matsuzaki is a master ceramic artist born in Tokyo, Japan. He received his degree in Ceramic Art from the Tamagawa University School of Fine Arts in 1972. Upon graduating, Matsuzaki moved to Mashiko for a five-year apprenticeship with Living National Treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka. Afterward, Matsuzaki established Yuushin-Gama, the kiln at the heart of his current studio practice. While Matsuzaki’s practice is rooted in Mingei philosophy and the Oribe-yaki style, his approach is distinct and contemporary. In some of his more recent work, Matsuzaki has abandoned the wheel. He is handbuilding, cutting away at the clay much as a sculptor would while maintaining the rugged character and energy of the raw clay. Matsuzaki has shown his work extensively in Japan, the UK, and the US. His work is held in museum collections globally, including in Boston, Cambridge, Chicago, Cleveland, Gainesville, Haifa, Holderness, Jerusalem, London, New York, Philadelphia, Salem, San Francisco, and Williamstown. |
Image courtesy of Ken Matsuzaki.
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About Noah Hughey-Commers:
Noah was born and raised in the mountains of Nelson County, Virginia, where he now lives and works. As a child, he got to help fire wood kilns with Kevin Crowe at Tye River Pottery, learning to love the mechanics of kilns and their connection to process and making. Later on as a teenager he began making pottery, working with Kevin and later, at Piedmont Virginia Community College with Tom Clarkson. He received a bachelors in English from The University of Mary Washington and afterwards returned for a two year apprenticeship at Tye River. With his study completed, Noah spent a few months in the UK exploring other techniques and pottery styles and then came home to design and build his own studio and kiln. Noah has taught pottery classes and been a consultant on kiln firing. He makes pots and hosts firings for a community of potters who continue to learn about and explore the nuances of wood firing pottery. |
Image courtesy of Noah Hughey-Commers.
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