89.  Juri Kanda  神田 樹里

Juri Kanda studied Ceramics at the Nara College of Art. In 2000 she moved to Izumi a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, and built her own kiln there. Juri Kanda creates her works by making coils that she rolls out into wide strips that she bends and carefully folds into overlapping shapes. Her works show the softness and pliability of the clay, but also its hardness after it comes out of the kiln. Strong in form, they are notable for a soft, grid-like texture, incised and glazed, that appears to be draped over the entire object. The parallel lines of the grid also provide perspective; one can follow the undulation and the way it was folded. These are works of subtle beauty, captivating but in a quiet way, inviting one to follow the lines and unravel the folds in one's mind. Juri Kanda is relatively unknown, especially outside Japan, but has taken part in important exhibitions and won awards, including at the 12th. International Ceramics Festival Mino and an Excellent Work Award at Asahi Ceramics Exhibition.