Grant Akiyama
Duration: January-April 2023
Material frontiers in ceramics are a fertile domain for expanding craft horizons. Building upon this current discourse, Grant Akiyama foresees his work entering and augmenting this vein of ceramic craft through sincere dialogue between ceramic matter and natural rhythms unearthed beside clay. While in New Harmony, he aims to expand upon his current material vocabulary by seeking out unforeseen expressions at the axis of clay and glass. He anticipates developing more mimetic impressions of minerals alongside vessels, beyond cups and cylinders. This opportunity will foster another step towards striking new ground in the medium by looking back in geologic time. In a sense, these works to come will lend a new voice to the Earth, translated through craft.
quick facts
How many years have you been working as a clay artist? I have worked with clay at least once a year since high school; about 13 years.
What is your main clay body that you currently use? A personal recipe based on Roseville Stoneware.
What is the primary method you use for building your work? Handbuilding.
What is your favorite studio tool? An old hickory knife from John Gill.
Do you have any future clay wishes or dreams? I wish for more homes and spaces filled with well-made and artful objects.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My current work in ceramics, Poprocks, examines the geologic origins of clay and its innate forms and surfaces. I study and implement patterns of pedestrian soils, peculiar boulders, and crystalline aberrations. I focus these raw states of earth into vessels: cups, vases, and shot glasses, among others. Through manic colors and experimental surfaces, I aim to illustrate the mercurial and varied moods found beneath our feet. Poprocks synthesizes a sense of chthonian, earthen nature through a tangible lens of imaginable utility.
BIOGRAPHY
BORN: Sacramento, CA | USA
Grant Akiyama currently lives and works in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2017, he graduated from Alfred University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Art History and Theory. Since then, Grant has complete artist residencies at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park and the Toshiko Takaezu Studio. His work is exhibited nationally at locations such as the Oklahoma Visual Arts Council, 108 Contemporary, Artspace at Untitled, Applied Contemporary, and Companion Gallery. Grant has received various awards for his work including, “Best-in-Show” from the In Art Gallery for their first Annual Ceramics Exhibition and “Honorable Mentioned” from New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art during their “Filled Up 3” exhibition. He has featured work with the American Craft Council, where he received recognition from Penland School of Craft and was selected as an “Editor’s Choice” from Karen Olsen. Grant advocates for the crafts, locally, through his teaching programs with Addis Ceramics, 3rd Street Clayworks, Tulsa Dream Center, and 108 Contemporary.