BIOGRAPHY
Makiko Hattori is a ceramic artist based in Gifu, Japan.
Makiko’s creative process is driven by emotive changes in social issues as well as her personal life. Her devotion to create forms that did not exist before, and the experimental and dynamic nature of her production process, often lead to better understanding of herself. Her work is therefore very personal, and evokes vivid images and emotions she experienced at the time of production.
Makiko grew up in a family with love for music. She herself plays the piano and the violin, and her love for music culminated in the foundation of “The Earth” in 1988, an art and music group that creates and performs “sound objects”.
In 1988, the world was filled with the momentum and hope anticipating the end of the Cold War. A new standard and order of the free world were about to be born. In an experiment to create entirely new music in this new world, "The Earth" was conceived by a contemporary music composer, Hideo Hotta, and a group of ceramic artists including Makiko. They produced ceramic musical instruments, “sound objects”, and orchestrated concerts under Hotta's direction, in which the artists themselves performed the instruments. "The Earth" was active for over three years, and this experience reinforced Makiko’s commitment to create art with freedom and originality.
Makiko structures her art by experimenting different combinations of freehand straight and curved lines. Creating ceramics is a slow process with many constraints, which may seem obsolete especially in this time of ever-increasing efficiency. Makiko believes in the significance, however, of creating new forms that did not exist before, with the ancient material, rich in its flavor despite of all its constraints, using the ancient method of firing. She finds utmost joy in pursuing to create art, a new synthesis of shape and color, that brightens our space and our spirit.
Selected Group Exhibits
2019
NAU in New York, The Nippon Gallery (New York, New York)
2018
NAU in Paris, galerie metanoia (Paris, France)
2017
The 45th ARTEX NY, Ward-Nasse Gallery (Soho, New York)
2016 - Present
NAU Art Exhibit, The National Art Center (Roppongi, Tokyo)
2014 - Present
Shin To-Cho Tokyo Exhibit, Salon de G (Ginza, Tokyo)
2012 & 2014
San-nin-san-yo Ceramic Exhibit, Art Izuminosato Gallery (Karuizawa, Nagano)
2009 - Present
Zero-no-kai Exhibit, Gallery Kubota (Kyobashi, Tokyo)
2009
Three Artists Exhibit for Calligraphy and Ceramics, Gallery CHUTO (Nagoya, Aichi)
2005 - Present
Shin To-Cho Kyoto Exhibit, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art (Kyoto, Kyoto)
2004 - Present
Shin To-Cho Nagoya Exhibit, Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art (Nagoya, Aichi)
2002 - 2010
NAU Art Exhibit, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Ueno, Tokyo)
2001 - Present
Genryu Art Exhibit, The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu (Gifu, Gifu)
1989 - 1992
"The Earth" - Sound Object Concert, World Design Expo '89 and other venues
1985 - 2003
Shin Kogei Shudan M-Kai Exhibit
Solo Exhibits
2006
HANA ("Flower"), Gallery Wadachi (Ginza, Tokyo)
2005
HANA NO UTSUWA ("Flower-ware"), Tajimi Sozokan Gallery (Tajimi, Gifu)
1994
HATTORI MAKIKO, Gallery Kura (Gifu, Gifu)
1991
HATTORI MAKIKO, Gallery Moose (Seki, Gifu)
Awards and Invitations
2017
Invited Artist- Seven Awardee Exhibit, Japan Contemporary Art Association, Gallery K (Kyobashi, Tokyo)
2017
Honorable Mention (no Grand Prize) - The 45th ARTEX NY
2003
Invited Artist, Museum Collection - China/Japan/Korea International Ceramic Art Exhibit
1988
Grand Prize - Tajimi Art Exhibit
1987
First Prize - Tajimi Art Exhibit
Member
2009 - Present
Zero-no-kai
2004 - Present
Shin To-Cho Kyokai
2002 - Present
NAU (New Artist Unit)
2001 - Present
Genryu
1988 - 1992
Ceramic Art and Design Group "The Earth" - founding member
1985 - 2003
Shin Kogei Shudan M-Kai
Education and Training
Oil painting study under Shinji Yoshie
International Christian University
Aichi Prefectural Institute of Ceramic Technology
Gifu Prefectural Ceramics Research Institute
Teaching
NHK Culture Gifu Sunday School of Ceramics