After Land of the Most Holy Mary Exhibition exhibition I went to Clay Gulgong, a conference with amazing international ceramicists generously demonstrating and sharing their knowledge and skills. This was followed immediately by my residency in Arita, Saga Prefecture, Kyushu in Japan. Arita is a porcelain town where for many centuries, the porcelain stone was dug and worked in factories and studios across the whole area. It is celebrating the 400 year anniversary of porcelain production. There is so much to write about this residency and Arita, it was a transformative experience, and I learnt much. Here a selection of photographs taken at the Kouraku Gama Factory, and surrounding areas, and some of the work I made there. More info

Applying the wax

Gosu painting on Arita porcelain

Ookawachiyama- where the captured Koreans were held in 1600s

At the entry to Kouraku Kiln

An old kiln site still being fired

Ookawachiyama

Arita mountains during the ceramics festival

Stacks of moulds in the factory

Shop in Arita main street

Yatagarasu – the Crow God

Entry to our studio

Delivering the glazes

Michael Martino’s Kiln at Kuratsu Pottery

On a bridge in Arita town

Ookawachiyama

Enjoying painting with Gosu

My printing on Arita porcelian

The glazes

Glazing in the factory