30. Kiyomizu Rokubei VIII (Masahiro) 八代​清水​六兵衞

Kiyomizu Rokubei VIII was born in Kyoti in 1954 to a renowned family that has made its mark in ceramic art since the middle of the Edo period. He is also known by his real name Rokubei Masahiro and as Rokubei Yatsushiro, the name he adopted in 2000 when he succeeded his father as Rokubei VIII. Kiyomizu Rokubei VIII studied architecture at Waseda University, followed by ceramics at the Ceramics Advanced Technical College and the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Kyoto. Both studies are reflected in his work. His sculptural works are sharply lined and architecturally constructed, but have the intentional distortion created during firing. He also creates installations of large, architectural pieces, constructed from multiple parts and covered with opal shiny glaze, which has a white sheen, to accentuate the relationship between the object, the space and the viewer. In 1983, he won the Grand Prix at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition '83 and has since won many awards, including the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2005. In 2003, he became a professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design. His work can be seen in numerous prominent museums around the world, including the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse and the British Museum.