47. Masatomo Toi  東井真咲朝

Born in 1992 in Gifu, Aichi Prefecture, the ceramics capital of Japan, Masatomo Toi graduated from the Design Course of the Tajimi Ceramics Research Facility in 2019. He also made an intensive study of other traditional arts such as tea ceremony and flower arranging. Characteristic of his work are the spines that pierce vases and other sculptural works. As a result, the work makes an aggressive, impression; the points resemble spines that a hedgehog or porcupine puts up in the face of impending danger.  In Masatomo Toi's philosophy however, these are precisely elements that emphasize the fragility of the material.  They represents the power of the life cycle combined with our human weaknesses and strengths. Masatamo Toi begins by forming the thorns, spheres and sabers that cover the work. These are fired, glazed and fired again. Only then are embedded in the actual body and after drying are fired again, glazed and fired again at high temperature. When finished, he applies gold and silver and platinum and other metals and the work is fired for a final time. It is a fragile process, with many uncertainties and unexpected changes caused by weight and temperature and oxidation. After each firing phase, the work looks different, the spines bend and move with the heat waves or break off, the clay body may crack or fall apart. Sometimes it can be repaired and baked again. Therein, according to Masatomo Toi, lies the similarity to human existence. We become damaged, scarred over time, but like his scuptures, we survive, changed by the experiences. There is no shame in that; on the contrary, it draws out the essence and beauty of existence, a thought in keeping with the principles of wabi-sabi.  Masatomo Toi is still relatively young, but may bask in increasing interest in his work, which has been exhibited at the India Art Fair, Kogei Art Fair in Kanazawa and the Mino Ceramic Art Museum, among others.