B. 1970
Ceramicist, Stoneware
Tomoko Sakai transforms nature into art. The Japanese ceramicist looks to the woods outside her small, spare studio in the mountains of Miki for inspiration, and her work reflects the tranquility and simplicity of her surroundings: clean, curved lines; organic shapes; earthy tones. She finishes her hand-shaped pottery in a wood-fired “anagama” kiln, which Japanese artisans first began using in the 5th century.