Wada Akira

Like many of the younger generation of Japanese ceramists, Wada Akira works within the medium of white porcelain. He first throws and then carefully carves the surfaces of his nominally functional forms that read more as sculpture than vessel. Due to the absolute precision required of his painstaking carving process, using delicate dental-style tools, the making of a single sake cup may consume an entire day. Wada chooses to leave his vessels unglazed with a matte white surface or applies a clear glaze that softens the edges and reflects the light, focusing the eye of the viewer on form and contours of the vessel.

1978 Born in Chiba Prefecture
2001 Apprenticed to Uwataki Katsuji (b.1941)
2005 Became official member of Nihon dentō kōgeikai (Japan Crafts Association)
Established his own studio in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture, focusing on white porcelain
2007 Researched in France (Japanese Ministry of Culture Overseas Study Grant)

Awards:

2003 Kitaōji Rosanjin Memorial Exhibition, Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum, Nagano
2004 Director of the Board of Education Prize, Chiba kenten (Chiba Prefecture Art Exhibition) (also in 2011)
2007 Japan Craft Association Prize, 35th New Ceramic Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Art Gallery, Nihonbashi Tokyo
2009 Encouragement Prize, Kikuchi Biennale, Musée Tomo, Tokyo
Special Prize of Ikeda Masuo, 20th Japan Ceramic Exhibition “The Objet”
2010 50th Anniversary Memorial Prize, Higashinihon dentō kōteiten (Eastern Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition), Mitsukoshi Art Gallery, Nihonbashi Tokyo
Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition, Asakura Fumio Memorial Hall, Oita
2011 Grand Prize, Paramita Ceramic Competition, Paramita Museum, Mie
Yamaguchi Bank Award, The 24th Ube Biennale of Japanese Contemporary Sculpture, Ube, Yamaguchi