Visit to Seto, Aichi, to develop an exhibition of contemporary ceramics inspired by the city's novelty figurine culture and heritage

This project develops upon previous GBSF-funded field trips to Seto, Japan, where I undertook research on the city’s ceramic novelty figurine industry. This work involved the identification of current and former sites of production, the collection of oral histories of designers and makers, and the documentation of threatened material culture related to the industry. This included the use of lidar scanning and photogrammetry to digitally document factory buildings, ceramic objects and plaster moulds. An element of this was the creation of new artworks inspired by this unique material culture and tradition of production. My research has played a role in raising awareness of the importance of this cultural heritage within Japan and the UK. As part of the next stage of my project, I propose to work with several contemporary ceramicists based in Seto, and the wider Aichi Prefecture, to develop an exhibition of ceramic artworks inspired by the city’s novelty figurine culture. This research trip to Seto will enable me to visit the studios of potential participants, arrange a focus group to discuss relevant themes for the exhibition, and co-host factory and other site visits. A series of interviews will be conducted with potential stakeholders to gauge their awareness of the novelty figurine industry and gain a curatorial insight into their practice. A proposal will be developed for exhibitions to be held at the Seto Ceramics and Glass Art Center and the British Ceramics Biennial in 2025.