Tomonari Hashimoto’s sculptural pieces document the power of materials

Tomonari Hashimoto Makes Works That Shows Enthusiasm

INTRODUCTION / INSPIRATION

I was obsessed with things like origami, plastic models, old buddha statues when I was young. And seeing my father’s life-size sculptures made of bronze and plaster was a normal part of my daily life. I was attracted to old objects and objects with profound and material sense that exceeded my height, and I admired them in a way. I also liked seeing the plants and trees in the garden from the window, and the mountains that stretched in the background. Recently, I am particularly interested in architecture and Japanese gardens. Everything I experienced when I was young has built the background for the work I am making now. I try to make works that shows the enthusiasm that still remains after eliminating the superficial and personal feeling and thoughts from the work as much as possible. I cherish an object for existing as it is and I cherish the space that it occupies. 

STUDIES

In 2008, I entered the Kyoto University of Education, where I majored in Fine Art, and started studying ceramics in my junior year. After receiving my Bachelor’s degree, because I desired further studies, I enrolled on the Master’s degree program at the Kanazawa University of Art. I continued onto the doctoral program and received my PhD in Fine Art in 2017. During the last year of my Doctor’s program, I was seeking a place to make larger scale works, which I always desired but was not possible at the University, and decided to stay at the ‘Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park’ as an artist in resident. After completing the doctoral course, I has moved to Shigaraki to pursue my creative practice.

Tomonari Hashimoto Makes Works That Shows Enthusiasm

WORKING PROCESS

My works are created through simple processes of hand building a membrane of clay, then firing it. Upon completing the building and drying processes, a low-temperature glaze mixed with metal oxides is applied after a bisque firing, and it gets fired again. After the glaze firing, I build a right-sized kiln for each work. I use gas burners to raise the temperature of the kiln, and then I pour in buckwheat or rice husks and carbonize the work to develop the colors of the metal oxides. Each process before completing a work is to realize what it is to make an object with clay and what it is to fire it. Making is also a time, for me, to discipline myself to face my inner self.

MATERIAL

Ceramics

DREAM COLLABORATION

I especially like and respect the artists that are Isamu Noguchi and Richard Serra.

Tomonari Hashimoto Makes Works That Shows Enthusiasm
Tomonari Hashimoto Makes Works That Shows Enthusiasm

INFORMATION

Photography with courtesy of Gentoku Katakura

https://tomonarihashimoto.com/

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