Taizo Kuroda: The Art of Unique Ceramics

Situated at the invisible border that separates art and handicrafts, Taizo Kuroda’s ceramics blur the boundaries. They have a sculptural beauty about them, but are designed for practical, daily use.

Since the start of the 90s, Kuroda has been devoted to white porcelain. From very early on, he understood that if the devil is in the detail, then in Japanese culture, the emphasis is on refinement and the care taken to ensure a harmonious marriage between content and container. In stark contrast to other porcelains which are all identical, Taizo Kuroda’s creations have a vision behind them. Behind their milky whiteness and softness to the touch lie subtle irregularities, and the muted asymmetry of his vases and bowls mirrors the diversity found in nature.

All Kuroda’s creations, produced at his potter’s wheel, are marked by this taste for minimalism and uniqueness. ‘I am constantly searching for the perfect shape’, he reiterates, ‘but I’m not quite ready for it yet.’ For the moment, his creations, with their random shapes, paint a picture of the world as it is: uneven and authentic.