• The beauty of imperfection is at the heart of Akira’s practice
• His pieces feature patterns and textures created naturally during the firing process
• His sculptural ceramics are held in permanent museum collections across the USA

From an initial start as a musician and record label founder, Akira Satake began working with ceramics in 2003 to escape his busy working life. It swiftly became his primary focus. Influenced by traditional Japanese aesthetics, Akira values serendipity, bringing out the hidden beauty in natural forms while respecting the clay’s character. His sculptural and functional pieces are often wood-fired, allowing texture to evolve during the process. “For me, the act of creation is a collaboration between myself, the clay and the fire,” he says. Akira has received major awards, including the National Award for Excellence in Contemporary Clay from the Philadelphia Museum, and has exhibited and led workshops worldwide. His pieces are in the permanent collections of the Mint Museum, the Phillips Collection and the Asheville Art Museum.