Organic experiments with science and art
- Grant inverts the making process by working with glaze first
- His experimental, nature-inspired pieces reveal deeper elements in clay
- He has exhibited in New York, Spain and Japan
Ceramics first caught Grant Akiyama’s attention in high school, sparking an immediate fascination. “When I first touched clay, it was like discovering the missing piece,” he says. Grant became obsessed with exploring the infinite possibilities of clay from an aesthetic and technical point of view. Experimentations with glaze chemistry inspired him to pursue a bachelor of science in art history and theory, and a bachelor of fine arts at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Grant’s colourful, richly tactile creations evoke geological forms such as crystals, fossils and extraterrestrial fragments, underlining his deep interest in nature and naturalism. In 2020, he moved to Tulsa, where he practises and teaches.
Interview
- Can you share a memorable moment in your professional life?
- After graduating, I went to Japan to study as an artist-in-residence at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, in one of the country’s leading pottery-producing areas. A favourite part of the programme was meeting ceramic stars like Kazunori Hamana and discovering the Japanese perspective on living and working with clay.
- What do you love most about your craft?
- I am quite bookish when it comes to science, but I believe there are limits to the rational order of the world and to categorisation and dissection. Craft is very instinctive: you do not necessarily need a catalogue or a library to intuit what to do with clay or to make a basket. I think that is what draws me most to my craft.
- How does your creative process unfold?
- I am interested in having a communion with the material and the process. In giving the minerals more of a voice through my practice, I am closer to understanding the subterranean force that lies beneath the surface.
- Do you use any specific techniques?
- I invert the standard studio making process by designing my glazes first, then forming or adding the clay afterwards. I also experiment with eco-projects, such as recycling used glazes and other discarded materials.
Grant Akiyama is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2009 and he started teaching in 2021
Where
Grant Akiyama
