An Interview with Tamotsu Suzuki

Q + A

We're delighted to showcase at Flow the Japanese ceramicist Tamotsu Suzuki, 
whose pieces translate the power of nature through organic forms and the materiality of clay.
 

Bailleul in his studio, photo by Elodie Villalon

"I am in awe of plants with delicate & tough forms. I feel them at our fingertips, soaking our thoughts into the soil. I reconstruct plants that quietly stand as if they had grown naturally on the spot."- Tamotsu Suszuki

Where is your studio based?

 
My studio is located at the foot of Mt. Yatsugatake in Yamanashi Prefecture, at an altitude of 900 meters, a place rich in nature. The area is very cold in the winter, but the summer is comfortable and you can enjoy growing flowers and vegetables. 

 

Is being surrounded by nature important for your practice?

I live in an environment where I could touch nature on a daily basis. Plants change with the seasons, and their shapes, scents, and textures all stimulate the five senses. Spending time with plants may even be more enjoyable than pottery.

What techniques do you use to create your pieces?

My work is hand-formed. I try to leave traces of my hands. On the surface, I use a "Kohiki" style slip. I work with red clay that has a lot of iron; I use it because the fired clay becomes darker and contrasts with the Kohiki slip. "Kohiki" is originally a technique to make it look white, but it shows various expressions depending on the iron content of the clay, the shade of the slip, and the combination of the glaze. I sometimes use white slip to get a black matte texture. 
 

Can you tell us about the forms you like to work with?
 

It's hard to decide which forms are your favourites. I enjoy making every item. If I dare say it, it's a vase with a high degree of freedom in shape.