Culture
Maker’s Spotlight – Ceramic artist Kaori Kurihara
Japanese artist Kaori Kurihara at work in her light-filled Paris studio.
Image courtesy of FIFMA
The Japanese artist Kaori Kurihara has a special way of working with ceramics. The pieces that she creates, usually fruit or vegetables, look as though they should be eaten. Amazingly, these forms appear deceptively real even though they were painstakingly created in Kurihara’s Paris workspace. The studio is a calming arena with big windows that shine light inside and offer an unfiltered aura. Inside, the studio is full of tools and the shelves are crowded with pots which are filled with glazes and oxides.
Toujours là, 2019
Images courtesy of Kaori Kurihara
The Japanese artist was educated in the art of pottery at SEIKA University of Kyoto in Japan. Following graduation, she garnered additional experience studying jewelry-making in France. There, she learned the technique of enameling which she now uses to accessorize her sculptures. The patience Kurihara has is the reason her pieces look the way they do. The amount of detail that goes into each and every sculpture is infinite. The sculptor says, “I hear their voice coming from above. I start working, listen to their voice and that’s how they come into existence.”
Fleur du marais, 2018
Image courtesy of Kaori Kurihara
The entire process is arduous and extremely time-consuming; as a result, she does not produce a lot of pieces. Each piece is hand-made and constructed with absolute precision. Initially, Kurihara constructs the “base;” then, the details are applied. In other words, each parity is formed separately and applied to the “main shape.” After her design is complete, the pieces wait, wrapped in plastic, until they are ready to be fired in the kiln.
Antenna de corail, 2018
Images courtesy of Kaori Kurihara
Like everyone else, the pandemic was difficult for Kurihara. While the artist awaited for the world to reopen, she began growing a variety of plants in her own little garden. It is those living things which inspired Kurihara during the pandemic… those plants also taught her that it is their life force, the power of nature, and the fragility of nature that she is able to express through her stunning sculptures. Lucky us!
Robe de soleil, 2020
Image courtesy of Kaori Kurihara
Visit Kaori Kurihara’s beautiful website for more inspiration!
