CONNECT ART
SOFT PROCESS THE CERAMiCS OF NATE RYMAN
Nate Ryman (Tokyo) interviewed by Jessica Craven (Saitama)
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J: WHAT iS YOUR BACKGROUND, AND WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO JAPAN?
J: COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR ARTWORK?
N: I studied Architecture and Design at the University of Tennessee. During my studies, I took a lot of inspiration from Japanese architects and craftspeople. I think a large part of my decision to come to Japan stemmed from these interests. Before coming to Japan, I was employed in an architectural office while also working part time as an artist in residence at a ceramic studio in Kentucky. This was an extremely busy but formative time in my creative approaches to ceramics. The constraints, stress, and politics of the architectural field led me to find a creative release. I started focusing on ceramics as a way to more freely express my ideas and explore new techniques.
N: For better or worse, the medium of ceramics is extremely freeform. The most basic tools at an artist's disposal are mud and their hands. With enough skill and understanding of this deceptively simple material, one can create artwork that will survive for millennia. I find that extremely beautiful, and it led me to experiment in this medium. My current art is very process-driven. Where many artists and ceramicists would have an image of their ideal finished piece in their head while creating, I prefer to think and plan processes that produce unexpected, interesting, and—if I'm lucky— beautiful results. I've experimented with
