Yagi Akira

Yagi Akira represents the third generation of a ceramics family in Kyoto known both for its discipline and for its avant-garde approach to art. After graduating from the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Institute in 1977, Yagi began working with his father, Yagi Kazuo (1918-1979), Japan’s most renowned avant-garde ceramic artist. Stepping away from in his father’s path, Yagi Akira explores the structural challenges in ceramics through the creation of series and sets. In these groupings of vessels, the space between and surrounding each element is as important as the components themselves. His nesting sets of bowls, graduated covered boxes, and fluted vessels all require great planning and precision to produce. Inspired by Chinese aesthetics, Yagi specializes in the delicate bluish-white seihakuji glaze, as well as deep, black iron glaze.

1955 Born in Gojōzaka, Kyoto; son of Yagi Kazuo and grandson of Yagi Issō (1894-1973)
1976 Graduated form Kyoto Seika College
1977 Graduated from the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Technical Institute
Started working with his father
1997 Traveled to Washington DC and New York City (supported by the artist’s scholarship from Japanese Government)
2012 International Residency Program at the Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall, UK

Awards:

1997 Awarded the Encouragement Prize, 15th Kyoto Prefecture Art Award
1999 Awarded the Japan Ceramics Society Prize
2000 Awarded Grand Prize, 12th MOA Okada Mokichi Award
2008 Awarded Kyoto Prefecture Prize for Cultural Merit
2009 Awarded the Kyoto Art and Culture Prize by Chūshin Art Foundation

Selected Public Collections:

British Museum, London
Cleveland Museum of Art, OH
Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY
Japan Foundation, Tokyo
Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Portland Museum of Art, OR
Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO