Kumiko Claros

Growing up in Japan, my journey with clay started 30 years ago. Inspired by nature my interests are in form and surface quality expressing vitality and beauty.

I am constantly experimenting with different shapes, forms, textures, and patterns. I create pieces with inlay technique and respond to my intuition on layering slip and glazes.

I have taken courses at Alfred University in NY, other colleges in USA and Canada and a mentorship program. I have also been under mentorship by a Japanese master potter Tsuyoshi Hotate who has a studio in Tokyo.

I also have been enjoying transformative experience of Raku and Saggar firing for over 20 years guided by a Raku master Michael Sheba. Raku art is a unique and dynamic form of pottery characterized by a low-firing process and rapid cooling that creates unpredictable and one-of-a-kind surface effects.

My work of both functional and Raku pieces have been exhibited at the National Art Centre Tokyo and Ceramic Art Museum in Saitama, Japan, and received awards.

Clay work is inspiring, challenging and limitless in possibilities. I hope that people feel the connection when they see and touch my pieces.