Nagisa Shirai
Born 1991, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. After completing a major course at Aichi Prefectural Seto Ceramic High School, she learned at the Seto City New Century Crafts Museum before joining the Utatsuyama Craft Studio in Kanazawa. In 2017, her works were selected for the Japan Craft Exhibition, and in 2018, for the Tableware Grand Prize, among others. Currently makes pottery in Kanazawa.
Fog-like patterns drifting on a matt surface. The technique known as "Kiri-nagashi" is synonymous with her pottery. It is a reinterpretation of the ancient Japanese traditional technique of sumi-nagashi, and its fantastic ink painting-like depiction is captivating to the eye.
After deciding to pursue a career in ceramics, she wondered whether she should go to a ceramic school in her home town of Tochigi or to that in Seto, Aichi, and chose the latter, saying that she wanted to learn widely in a new place.
After completing the major course at Seto Ceramic High School in Aichi, she joined the Kanazawa Utatsuyama Craft Studio after studying at the Seto City New Century Crafts Museum. She mastered the techniques of ceramic art and became an independent porcelain artist.
In 2017, selected for the Japan Craft Exhibition
In 2018, selected for the Tableware Grand Prize