Kenji Gomi was born in 1978. After graduating from Waseda University, Tokyo he studied “Tsuboya-yaki”, the ceramic technique which has been produced in the city of Naha, Okinawa, since the 17th century. At the center of his works’ creation is the procedure of ceramic firing. The artist explains that the organic shapes of his works are the result of choosing the most suitable shape from the viewpoint of firing. Further, the colour and texture through which one can easily sense the local soil in the ceramic’s surface are achieved by firing the ceramics buried in chaff.

Rather than "firing" things made of "soil", I make things made of "soil" for "firing".
This is what I have realized through the process of making the "Sai-do-ki" series over almost 6 years.
I wish to simply practice and learn pottery.
That is my only purpose as well as means.
How to reach more "genuine" pottery – this is what I always think about.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　– Kenji Gomi

Kenji Gomi spent his childhood in the city of Chino in Nagano, where national treasure earthenwares are excavated. This time of coming directly face-to-face with a purer form of ceramics is perhaps what gave rise to Gomi’s works, resembling fragments of the earth.In this exhibition, the objet series named “Sai-do-ki”, the containers with lids from “Futa, Mono” series and bowls are presented. The artist has recently received prizes at many competitions such as the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Kikuchi Biennale. Last year, he won the Grand Prix at the 10th International Ceramics Competition Mino, Ceramic Arts Category. His work is included in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. We warmly invite you to the solo exhibition of this remarkably successful young ceramic artist.