Vase by Hiroshi Aoki 青木宏

This vase by Hiroshi Aoki is crafted from wild, iron‑rich clay and finished with a treated surface that strips away glaze to reveal the raw, earthen texture beneath. The result is a vessel that feels robust, mineral, and deeply connected to the earth — its matte, almost powdery surface evokes age, gravitas, and natural authenticity. Its form and texture balance roughness and softness, giving the piece a quiet yet powerful presence. As an object, it stands as both a sculptural statement and a functional vessel: equally at home holding dried branches, flowers, or simply existing as a contemplative art piece.

About the Artist

Hiroshi Aoki is a contemporary Japanese ceramic artist, born in 1976 in Shūnan, Yamaguchi Prefecture, whose work expresses a profound connection to clay, fire, and nature. Trained at the pottery design institute in Tajimi, Aoki developed a personal ceramic language in which form, material, and kiln become inseparable.

In his signature pieces, he uses wild, iron‑rich clays and after firing deliberately removes the thin glaze layer to expose the raw clay beneath. This technique lets the material speak: the surface reveals traces of fire, gesture, and geology, resulting in a matte, mineral finish that feels timeless and elemental. Exhibited both in Japan and abroad, Aoki’s vases and vessels reflect a desire to reconnect pottery with the earth — simple, honest forms that emphasize texture, materiality, and the natural character of clay.