Keiko Masumoto is a Japanese ceramic artist, most famous for her Kitsch Kogei collection in addition to other works. The exceptional feature of this collection is the motif of embedding octopus sculptures into her ceramic vessels, making her vases valuable in terms of both functionality and aesthetics.
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The concepts of ‘art’ and ‘craft’ have remained separated from each other for a while before the emergence of applied arts, where contemporary artists are free to blur the line between the two concepts. Through practical objects in eminently aesthetic forms, artists are free to express their ideas and incorporate the sense of art into their crafts, and Masumoto is no exception.
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When it comes to ceramic craftsmanship, Masumoto has an outstanding credential. She earned a master’s degree from a ceramic course in Kyoto City University of Arts in 2007. Subsequently, she worked as an artist in residence at the University of Arts in Philadelphia in 2010 and in a museum in London in 2013. The most notable characteristics of Masumoto’s creations is the incorporation of surprising elements together a hint of humor. When her surreal ceramic vessels were on display at ICN gallery in 2012, viewers could hardly tell whether the vases are utilitarian or sculptures.
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Masumoto’s surreal ceramic vessels feature blue-and-white patterns that are typical of traditional East Asian wares. But unlike traditional pieces, Masumoto adds intricate sculptures of octopus with their tentacles coiling around the vessels. Every detail is elaborately crafted, from the octopus’ bulging head and realistic eyes to its flowing tentacles and tiny suckers. The half-pottery, half-octopus ceramic wares are indeed fascinating to behold. More importantly, these unusual ceramic vessels are functional. Anyone can actually use the octopus-adorned teapot to serve hot tea. And the half-urn half-octopus can serve as an actual urn to contain mementos.
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“Whether art or craft, I want to offer work that is intensely conscious of that category, that framework, to explore what I myself felt,” the artist explains.
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram