019-01 Wood fire vase1 8x20x15h woodfire clay 2009 $300 019-02 Wood fire high vase2 13x9x18h woodfire clay 2009 $300 019-03 Wood fire high vase3 9x10x23.5h woodfire clay 2009 $250 019-04 Plate Green oribe 38x21.5x10h white clay 2010 $300 019-05 Plate Circle Green & Brown 19x19x6h white clay 2010 $150 019-06 Plate Square Green 21.5x22.5x4.5h Red stoneware Clay 2022 $150 019-07 Pot for miso barrel 12x11.5x14h white clay 2021 $200 019-08 Vase White & black top White Speckled clay 15.5x18x20h 2022 $150 019-09 Vase brown top 10x10x12h White Stoneware clay 2022 $100 019-10 Mug Cup Cat series 4sets Each 10x10x11h Porcelain 2022 $200
019-01 Wood fire vase1 8x20x15h woodfire clay 2009 $300
019-02 Wood fire high vase2 13x9x18h woodfire clay 2009 $300
019-03 Wood fire high vase3 9x10x23.5h woodfire clay 2009 $250
019-04 Plate Green oribe 38x21.5x10h white clay 2010 $300
019-05 Plate Circle Green & Brown 19x19x6h white clay 2010 $150
019-06 Plate Square Green 21.5x22.5x4.5h Red stoneware Clay 2022 $150
019-07 Pot for miso barrel 12x11.5x14h white clay 2021 $200
019-08 Vase White & black top White Speckled clay 15.5x18x20h 2022 $150
019-09 Vase brown top 10x10x12h White Stoneware clay 2022 $100
019-10 Mug Cup Cat series 4sets Each 10x10x11h Porcelain 2022 $200

Mikiko Nakayama（中山 美紀子）

Email: mikikoad@gmail.com

Tel: 917-937-8693

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikiko.290

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日本で雑誌記者として働いた後、渡米。Parsons Art School　Photography を卒業後、日系新聞に写真記者として勤務した。この間、日系１世アメリカ人を取材、撮影した日系１世の写真展は、ニューヨークの5Th Street Photo Gallery　(今はもう閉店してない) を皮切りに、日本NY領事館のロビー、日本のニコンサロンでも開催した。

ピントが合わせづらくなり、写真をプロとして撮ることを断念、ほかの創作活動を模索する中で、陶芸と出会った。アパートの１階に陶芸クラブがあり、そこでアメリカ人の陶芸家たちと知り合い、魅力に引き込まれていった。その一人、Nicholas Newcombに2008年から2011年まで師事、NY Port ChesterにあるClay Art Centerで陶芸家芦田恵子さんのクラスを2年間受講。他にもグリニッジハウスの陶芸コースで学んだ。2009年から2011年まで、Chelsea Artist Show などいくつかのグループ展に参加した。

陶芸には少なくとも3つの癒しがあります。陶器を作る時、鑑賞する時、そして使う時。土のぬくもりが癒し効果を助長してくれます。形はなるべくシンプルに、あとは炎まかせ。釉薬と焔の合作で、自然のなせる業。両手で抱きかかえてもいいし、手のひらにのせて、転がしても、手に取るだけで、ほんわかとした温かみが伝わってきます。そしていつしか心が和みます。同じように作ったつもりでも、季節によって、自分の心持ちによって、焼き上がりは違った表情を見せるから不思議です。癒しの陶芸を心掛けています。

After working as a magazine reporter in Japan, I moved to the United States. After graduating from Parsons Art School, Photography major, I worked as a photojournalist for One of the Japanese newspapers in New York City. During this time, I interviewed and photographed Japanese Issei (the first Generation) Americans, and held photo exhibitions of Issei, starting with the 5th Street Photo Gallery (now closed) at East Village, the lobby of the Consulate of Japan in New York, and the Nikon Salon in Tokyo, Japan.

It became difficult to focus when taking pictures, so I gave up professional photographer, and while searching for other creative activities, I encountered ceramics. There was a pottery club on the first floor of my apartment, where I met American potters and was drawn to them. I studied under one of them, Nicholas Newcomb, from 2008 to 2011, and took Japanese Ceramic Artist, Keiko Ashida’s class for two years at the Clay Art Center in Port Chester, NY. I also studied ceramics at Greenwich House in NYC. From 2009 to 2011 I participated in several group exhibitions, including the Chelsea Artist Show.

The pottery has at least three healing properties. When making pottery, when appreciating it, and when using it. The warmth of the soil promotes the healing effect. Keep the shape as simple as possible and leave the rest to the flames. A collaboration of glaze and flame, a work of nature. You can hold it with both hands, put it on your palm, roll it, or just pick it up and you will feel the warmth. And someday your heart will calm down. Even if I think I made it the same way, depending on the season and how I feel about it, the baking will look different. I focus on healing pottery.