Makoto Kagoshima Japanese Animal Ceramics

Makoto Kagoshima was born in Fukuoka, Japan 1967.

After graduating from the art college, he worked in the Conran Shop in Fukuoka and didn’t become a full time potter until the age of 35.

Nowadays, Makoto Kagoshima has been creating his art works, pottery, fabric and prints at his shop, Atelier de La Paix, in Fukuoka. He has a wonderfully quirky and bold style.

His characters all speak of mirth and mayhem, as they frolic amidst his stylised gardens and undersea worlds.

His work is all hand produced and every bowl is decorated by Makoto too.

He shows us step by step how he creates a squirrel. Kneading and rolling the clay, using a template to cut out the sides and base. Softening edges, stamping the form, using different sized lightbulbs to mould and shape the form on the back. He then paints slip onto the edges, places both sides together and waits for this to harden before carving and making the join smooth and seamless. He lastly puts on the base, fires and glazes the piece… et Voila ! A squirrel is born : )

For me his work is fresh, fun and a joy to look at.

I’m really liking these little chaps too.

Recently he had private exhibitions also in LA, Taipei and London. Makoto Kagoshima has already many fans all over the world. You can find more to see on the Doinel site. What do you think readers ?  If you enjoyed this you may also like the work of Makiko Hastings , Lisa Larson and Jonathan Adler.