Akio Niisato, b.1977, makes tea bowls of a distinctively simple, yet striking aesthetic. His work displays a mastery of ceramic material and innovation in design. The artist currently lives and works in Toki, Japan.
Selected group exhibitions:
2003 The 40th Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Aichi
2004 Cool & Light New Spirit in Craft Making at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
2005 Premio Faenza 55th Editional, Italy (Also in ’07) World Ceramic Biennale 2005, South Korea (Also in ’07)
2010 About the Tea Ceremony – A Viewpoint on Centemporary Kogei at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
The International Triennale of KOGEI in Kanazawa, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
2011 The White Time at Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art / Ceramic Art Messe Mashiko, Tochigi
2013 Master Teabowls of Our Days at Musee Tomo, Tokyo
2016 MADE IN JAPAN Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza, Italy
Selected awards:
2005 Award for the New Artist, Premio Faenza 54th Edition, Italy
2008 Grand Prize, Paramita Museum Ceramic Competition
2009 Incentive Award, Kikuchi Biennale, Tokyo
2014 Award for the New Artist, MOA Mokichi Okada Award, Tokyo
Collections: National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, Musee Cernuschi (France), Minneapolis Institute of Art (USA), Victoria and Albert Museum (UK) and more