Yukico Yamada: Weaving Words into Clay

Recently relocated to Tamba, where her studio sits surrounded by Japans scenic mountain-scapes, ceramicist Yukico Yamada finds inspiration in the quiet beauty of nature. Growing up in rural Osaka, she developed a deep appreciation for the fleeting moments of the natural world - an influence that continues to shape her artistic practice. Since her first solo exhibition in Kyoto in 2019, Yamada has exhibited internationally, bringing her poetic ceramics to audiences across New Zealand, China, and Japan. Now, for the first time, she presents a solo exhibition in London: Koto no Ha.

The exhibition title, meaning "words" in an old Japanese phrase, reflects Yamada’s contemplative approach - where fragments of events, objects, and nature take form through her ceramics. Her work fuses elegance with irregularity: earthy yet refined, featuring undulating lines, soft curves, and skewed edges. Each piece captures fleeting moments, from the scent of the earth to the sway of grass in the wind. “My works are spun from fragments of natural things around me,” she explains. “I always feel that it is similar to weaving words. When I create, I sometimes write down words that move me, translating them into form. Perhaps I shape my works as if I am weaving words for the natural elements that inspire me - wind, fog, plants, and light.”

Through this exhibit we explore Yamada’s process, inspirations, and what lies ahead in her artistic journey.

The Organic Flow of Creation

The variety of forms in Koto no Ha suggests an endless and organic creative flow. Did you create these works in a specific order, or did one form naturally lead to another?

Yamada: I wanted to share with everyone in London the beautiful scenery and moments that I experience every day. Even in my small garden, there are many beautiful moments that change depending on the season, time, and weather. Each of the diverse forms in this exhibition is connected in the sense that they are inspired by things that exist close to me. It could be the vast view of the mountains seen from my garden, or something within a smaller field of vision - like the back of a small dead leaf or a formless sensation.

Balancing Elegance and Irregularity

Your work embraces both elegance and irregularity. How do you determine when a piece is complete? Do you seek a certain feeling in the final form?

Yamada: I'm honoured that you see my work that way. I don’t have a strict rule for when a piece is finished, but I often find beauty in unexpected places - like dead grass and flowers by the roadside, or the lines of wild birds that visit my garden. Every day, I reflect on what I find beautiful and the reasons behind it. I think this process greatly influences how I determine balance in my works. As you mention, elegance and irregularity may be elements that naturally attract me.

Words and Storytelling in Ceramics

When you share images of your works, you often accompany them with poetic words. It seems like each piece has a story. How important is the story to your creative process, and at what point do the words connect to the ceramics?

Yamada: When I encounter a moment that moves my heart, certain words come to mind. By putting it into words, the scenery or natural object blends with human consciousness. From those words, I reflect on why I found that moment beautiful, and from there, the shape I want to create comes to mind. Sometimes, I create one shape for one moment, and other times, I create several shapes. Rather than words being important in themselves, they are part of a natural process. I gain a deeper understanding when I express what I feel in my own way, rather than simply replicating what I see in nature. Of course, it doesn’t always go as planned, but playing with nature in this way is a lot of fun, and I make many discoveries.

The Unique Details of Yamada’s Work

Your work is very unique, with delicate combinations of tone, texture, and form. Are there specific details or points that you aim for to make the work distinctively yours?

Yamada: I don’t have anything specific that I aim for, but the nature I see every day is always majestic, delicate, mysterious, and fascinating. For example, a beautiful mountain range consists of many trees, each with individual leaves - some insect-eaten, some damaged. Every leaf catches light differently, creating layers of existence. I think these observations mix with my imagination to create the details in my work.

Looking Ahead: Exploring New Processes

Moving forward with your practice, is there anything specific that you are planning to explore - new concepts, forms, materials, or processes?

Yamada: I’m interested in wood-fired firing. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet, but I’d like to give it a try!

Koto no Ha invites us into a quiet world of reflection, where words and forms intertwine. Through delicate hand-built ceramics and muted glazes, Yamada distils the essence of her rural upbringing, capturing both elegance and imperfection. Her works evoke moments of stillness and contemplation, offering a poetic dialogue between nature and human experience. As she continues to explore new techniques and inspirations, we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in her artistic journey.