Shigemasa Higashida(Japan)
Shigemasa Higashida was born in Kurahashichou, Akigun, Hiroshima, Japan. He received a BA from Shimonoseki Municipal University in 1978 and did a postgraduate course in ceramics at Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Technical High School. He set up his studio in Koganei-shi, Tokyo where he works predominantly in Shino (a milky-translucent ash/feldspar glaze) and Oribe (blue-green vitriol glazes) styles.
Shigemasa Higashida has been described as ‘an incomparable landscape artist’ working in ceramics; ‘Verdant green hills, deep blue waters flowing in dramatic swirling patterns – all are characteristics of his best work.’ He turned to ceramics after a brief but successful career as a stock trader at a major brokerage firm; Ceramic school and an apprenticeship with a master potter followed in the 1980s . On stage, he will demonstrate moulding the work using ‘Kurinuki’ (literally ‘dig out’) a technique which offers strong forms not achievable through throwing (himozukuri) or slab building (tatarazukuri). He will demonstrate his techniques in making flower vases and plates, and also tea bowls.
