Niisato Akio | b. 1977

Born in Chiba in 1977, Niisato Akio is one of Japan’s leading porcelain potters. His work is influenced by classical Chinese and Japanese work, but it also has very modern northern European qualities of simplicity and concision, with his translucent, thinly walled cylinder and bowl forms pierced to make luminous lattices and patterns of light. Slight eclipses and gently dented rims often add to the quiet movement of these vessels, with their skilfully drilled perforations creating delicate surface rhythms and energies. Niisato Akio studied at Tajimi City Ceramics Design Centre, and has gone on to exhibit internationally. His work is elusive in the UK, Oxford Ceramics Gallery being a rare European outlet.

David Whiting