Akio Nukaga
Ibaraki, Japan

From his studio N. Ceramics, Akio embraces nature and is often inspired by the vegetables his wife grows in their garden.  These two vases were inspired by gourds she had grown.  A leader in contemporary ceramics, most of his work sells instantly, so it can be hard to find.  Akio’s background is in carpentry, but he fell in love with ceramics and opened his own workshop in Kasama in the early 90s.  Kasama is a region famous for pottery since the 18th Century. Akio himself has become world-renown for his “pleated work”, wheel thrown and hand carved, meant to be used every day.  He uses the traditional styles of Kohiki, Tetsu-Yuu, and Hakuji.