Itō Tadashi

Born 1952, Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

ITŌ TADASHI uses a rare type of gray clay, which is found at his kiln site in Iwate Prefecture. Before firing the clay, he covers it with white kaolin clay that he scrapes off with a wire brush after firing. His saidei (colored-clay) works have the appearance of antique metal; this is achieved by repeated firings. Itō admires the work of Richard Lang, a British contemporary artist, and also draws inspiration from Jōmon ware. As a child, he combed beaches collecting shells that remain a profound influence in his work, as he sees them as the quintessence of beauty. Later on, studies in geology also impacted his eventual style. Ito’s sculptural works are characterized as simultaneously both simple yet sophisticated. His rough gray or red unglazed surfaces contrast with his shiny jade-green ash-glazed interiors.