Led by the unique nature of clay
- Mariko's works have won multiple prizes from the Danish Arts Foundation
- She studied in both Japan and Denmark
- She provides guided tours and lectures in her studio
Transcendent creatures belonging to another world, ineffable ghost-like shapes, objects with no boundaries... Mariko Wada’s artworks tell many stories to those who want to listen. The Japanese artisan, based in Denmark since 1998, pushes the material to the extreme, challenging herself and exploring new ways of expressing herself through ceramics. She integrates elements of Japanese and Scandinavian design traditions, while adding something mysterious in the way she responds to the unexpected behaviour of clay. After obtaining a master’s degree at the Design School Kolding, in Denmark, she opened her own studio in 2009.
INTERVIEW
I find myself inspired by investigating the craft and its techniques. I’m also interested in the location and space where I exhibit my work, so I spend time reading and understanding the quality of the surroundings in order to try to create a sensible universe for my exhibition.
In the process of working with clay, I often find myself in situations where the material behaves differently than expected. Every time this happens, it makes me realise that clay has its own unique nature, which I always follow without forcing it into something else.
Mostly, I work with hand-building techniques. The coiling technique is my favourite. Sometimes I combine hand-building skills with other kinds of methods such as extrusion.
I particularly remember a phone call from Italy when I was told that I won a prize at Premio Faenza for contemporary ceramic art. It gave me a pat on the back when I needed it and it meant a lot to me.
1 EXPERIENCE
