Junsuke Inatomi^[0]

Junsuke Inatomi’s work is highly sculptural. Each vessel has a modest, but ethereal presence that is transformative in different lights. Over time, the work ages beautifully. 

Especially his silver glaze will change from time to time by how it’s treated and used. Transformations of glaze will create your own antique piece.  

Junsuke comes from a family of potters. His father, Kenichiro Inatomi, is also a potter and made sure Junsuke was exposed to Japanese and international potters by taking him to exhibitions. For Junsuke, seeing the work of Osamu Suzuki’s*, who was designated a national treasure in 1994, changed his life forever. He was so impressed and inspired by his work that he changed his studies from fashion to pottery.

When Junsuke makes work, he focuses on creating perfect lines, rather than approaching the work with a preconceived concept. His pursuit of perfect lines is what gives his work a beauty that awakens new senses. 

*Osamu Suzuki is one of Japan’s highest regarded potters (1926-2001). He is considered to be one of the pioneers of avant-garde ceramic art. He has received tremendous recognition throughout Japan and his work is in museum collections around the world.

稲富淳輔の作品には、つい手を伸ばしたくなる。フォルムが美しくどことなく彫刻の様であり、その独特で物静かな佇まいに強く惹かれるのだ。

今回届いた花瓶のシリーズは、花を生ける用途を持つだけに留まらない。花を生けずともありのままで十分に美しいのである。表面のしなやかな感触や色合いは時間が経つごとに表情を変え、さらに魅力を増す。古道具のように何世紀もの時を超え、いろんな国を渡り歩いて光を増していくであろう彼の作品をぜひ楽しんでいただきたい。

彼の父は陶芸家、稲富啓一郎。幼少期から父親に連れられ、展示会や博覧会などで数々の素晴らしい作品に触れてきた。美しいものへの思いを彼なりの美的感覚で表現し、いつまでも探究心を持って謙虚な姿勢で作品を作り続けている。

そんな思いがひしひしと伝わり、これからどんな作品が彼から生まれてくるのか目が離せない。新しい感覚の陶芸家である、と私は思う。

Photo by ©︎Masashi Kuromoto