Artist: Reiko Miyagi
Reiko Miyagi, NORTH CAROLINA
Short Bio
Reiko is a Japanese-born ceramic artist who developed a passion for pottery while growing up in a country with a rich and long history of ceramics. After earning a B.A. from Tama Art University in Tokyo, she studied traditional and contemporary ceramic making at Bunka Gakuin Ceramic School. Following an apprenticeship at Tsukamoto Ceramic Co in Mashiko, Reiko established her own studio and worked full-time as a studio potter. In 1998, she relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area where she combined her Japanese aesthetic and knowledge with new techniques, materials, and styles. She is now based in the Asheville Area of Western North Carolina and has a studio gallery in the Asheville River Arts district. Reiko's black & white sgraffito and sage glaze work pottery have been selected by numerous shows and galleries, including the Smithsonian Craft Show and the American Craft Council Shows. Her work reflects a ‘yaotorozu no kami’ philosophy, or that all beings and objects have an innate holiness and the appreciation that nature and our surroundings make us who we are.
Artist Statement
Drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese belief of "yaoyorozu no kami" - the idea that all beings and objects possess a spirit or divinity within them - I strive to embrace the interconnectedness of nature and our surroundings. Growing up in Japan, where nature holds a central place in culture, and being influenced by the unique beauty that developed in the country’s historic isolation, I have cultivated an appreciation for its subtle and understated aesthetics.
In my craft, I strive to create work that nurtures the mind and creates a sense of harmony. I believe that nature and our surroundings shape our being, and my art is an expression of this belief. By infusing my work with the essence of "yaoyorozu no kami," I aim to highlight the spiritual meaning present in all
beings and objects.
My studio, named Studio Tabula Rasa, symbolizes a fresh and open mindset, where each creation begins anew. When I make my art, I feel that is when “live in the moment,” embracing the uniqueness and freshness of each start. The shapes found in the natural world and images from earlier cultures serve as my inspiration and, while I humbly acknowledge that I cannot replicate
the perfect beauty of nature, my work expresses my gratitude for its magnificence and its profound impact on our lives.
For me, handmade and natural objects are integral to fostering a positive environment and celebrating the precious moments we experience. Through my art, I aspire to honor these moments and create a sense of harmony and beauty in the spaces they inhabit.
Biography
Reiko Miyagi, born and raised in Japan, developed a natural love for pottery in a country with a long and rich ceramic culture deeply embedded in its national identity.
She obtained a B.A. from Tama Art University in Tokyo and furthered her studies in traditional and contemporary ceramic making at Bunka Gakuin Ceramic School. Following an apprenticeship at Tsukamoto Ceramic Coin Mashiko, a renowned town for folk pottery, she established her own studio, dedicating herself to pottery as a full-time studio potter. There she immersed herself in the countryside and embraced the pottery-making and DIY lifestyle.
Reiko sought a new cultural experience when she relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998. There, she encountered fresh clay techniques, materials, and styles, which she skillfully combined with her existing aesthetic and ceramic knowledge from Japan. This fusion led to the
development of her distinctive black & white sgraffito stoneware.
In 2012, Reiko made a move to the Asheville, NC area, where she found joy in pottery making amidst the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. Here, she relished the opportunity to once again experience the four seasons and be surrounded by mountains and rivers, reminiscent of her homeland in Japan.
In addition to showcasing her work at her studio gallery in the Asheville River Arts district, Reiko's pieces have been selected for various exhibitions and galleries, including prestigious events such as the Smithsonian Craft Show and the American Craft Council Shows and other exhibitions. Her black & white sgraffito and sage glazework pottery have been included in the permanent collection of the Charlotte Mint Museum.