King Houndekpinkou

Ceramicist

©ADAGP, Paris 2020

©Alex Huanfa Cheng

©ADAGP, Paris 2020

©Alex Huanfa Cheng

Connecting cultures through clay

King is a multicultural artisan
His craftsmanship links Benin and Japan
He uses his creativity to express topics close to his heart

With genuine enthusiasm, King Houndekpinkou describes his early passion for video games and how it inspired a love of Japanese culture and creativity. “Then, in 2012, I went to Japan for the first time and was encouraged to try pottery. I was soul-searching at the time, questioning what I wanted to do with my life. I ended up taking a class… and here I am!” Franco-Beninese King highlights the spiritual similarities between Benin and Japan and he now works to bring potters together from both countries. “Ceramics has become the lens through which I see life, but it also leads me to discover new things that are outside of ceramics, like Native American culture and other countries and practices,” he explains.

Interview

©Alex Huanfa Cheng

©Alex Huanfa Cheng

What was it about pottery that hooked you?: There is a subconscious element that comes through when using earth and clay. Working with clay awakened sleeping thoughts which must have been there but never stimulated before. Touching clay is a visceral, pleasurable experience.
How do you approach your art?: It was first about leisure, but my teacher (who was Japanese) took us to central France for a wood-firing project with potters from Okayama. I perceived the mystical way they approached the work, a connection to my Benin heritage and was really happy.
What's the story behind your project Terres Jumelles?: It’s about making connections between local potters in Benin and Japan. I go to the countries and mix the local clays together and make works. The project puts me in a position of documenting and learning while creating. It speaks to my heart.
How do you know when something is finished?: It’s intuitive, when it feels 'right', even if a piece is actually never finished, to be honest. At some point I stop. Also, the piece will have its own life when someone acquires it. It lives on. The clay, the glaze will still move—the piece is alive.

King Houndekpinkou is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2012