Metal and a sense of wonderment
- Kotaru creates pieces that reflect who he is
- His works are inspired by landscapes from his hometown in the Wakayama Perfecture
- He won a prize at the German Talente fair in 2019
Kotaro Uranaka is a metalworker who specialises in the Japanese metal hammering technique called tankin. "Each piece reflects what I see, feel and find beautiful through my own lens," he says. Originally from the rural Wakayama Prefecture, known for its strong rain and wind, the landscapes Kotaro has experienced throughout his life inspire the patterns and motifs in his work. Building on these inspirations, he combines traditional metalworking techniques with digital tools such as laser cutters and plotters to create contemporary pieces. While deeply personal, his works are functional and intended for everyday use. They have been exhibited in Japan as well as internationally, including in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and have received awards, such as a prize at Germany’s Talente fair.
Interview
- How did you encounter this craft?
- When I was attending a preparatory school in Tokyo to get into an art university, I met a teacher who specialised in tankin. His work was incredibly shocking. I knew in that moment, that I wanted to learn this technique at university.
- What does your creative process look like?
- My process starts with small sketches of shapes and simple patterns. I create the design and then begin forming the piece. While I do take my time refining the shape, I am extremely patient with colouring, which is my favourite stage
- What do you enjoy most about metalworking?
- My work takes me to different places. For example, I won a prize for a piece I exhibited in Milan after it was noticed by someone from Germany’s Talente fair. This also gave me the opportunity to exhibit in Barcelona. It feels as if my pieces travel ahead of me and guide my path.
- Is there a particularly memorable moment from you practice?
- This might sound odd, but one of my clearest memories is the first time I tried the heat treatment process of annealing. I think it was the first copper pot I ever made. When I heated it with a metal burner and saw it bend, I was amazed! That sense of wonder is still vivid in my memory today.
Kotaro Uranaka is a master artisan: he began his career in 2013 and he started teaching in 2018
Works
Where
Kotaro Uranaka
