A Taste of Japan: Demonstration and Masterclass

MAKE Southwest invites you to view a throwing demonstration and participate in a masterclass workshop by the Japanese potter Masahiro Kumagae.

Masahrio Kumagae is currently exhibiting as part of our exhibition: A Taste of Japan.                                                                     

Masahiro Kumagae was born into a family of potters, working in the traditional Agano ware style. The influence of these traditional techniques has stayed with him throughout his career. He started his training at a specialist ceramics school in Arita and went on to study craft design at Fukuoka University.

Following that, he did a two year apprenticeship with Jiro Matsuo, a potter working in his own individual style. After his apprenticeship, he returned to Agano and rather than staying in his father’s workshop, decided to set up his own place. This move gave him a sense of freedom and allowed him to develop his own style and techniques of making, drawing on tradition but not bound by it. His work is constantly evolving and is always looking to the future and the next exciting inspiration. His work is exhibited widely in galleries in Japan and he has also exhibited in Korea, Taiwan and in the UK.

Saturday 17th of September 2022

Pottery Demonstration   11.30am – 1pm            £10.00 pp

Masahiro Kumagae will demonstrate Japanese throwing techniques using traditional tools. He will also present some of the ways he uses slabs to make tableware.

Workshop Masterclass   2.00pm – 4.00pm      £30.00 pp

Masahiro Kumagae will show experienced participants how to make pieces from slabs of clay, using some of his own special techniques. This will be a hands-on workshop and participants are welcome to take home pieces to fire.