Hello Atelier 032

Momoko Usami

September 06, 2018

Momoko Usami creates beautifully crafted ceramics that straddle the line between functional and fine art.

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Hello Atelier 032

Ceramicist Momoko Usami

Enchanting. That’s the word I would use to describe ceramicist Momoko Usami’s work. I first discovered Momoko’s art at Wonderfair, a store in Lawrence, Kansas. I was delighted by the pieces and fascinated by the stories that decorated each piece.

Momoko, herself, is also enchanting. Her studio and house reside in the Missouri countryside. And from her studio window you see nothing but fields, trees and sky. It’s a view that encourages daydreaming – not just for Momoko, but also for her students. Momoko has opened her studio as a community space. Dubbed the Art Farm, Momoko uses her talent as an opportunity to teach locals not only how to work with clay, but also about her own Japanese culture. Eating Japanese noodles out of a ceramic bowl that I made myself? That is an experience I would definitely sign up for.

In this episode:

  • Momoko Usami: Dive into Momoko’s world of sculpture, functional pieces and more!
  • MOMOTime: Momoko sells a selection of her work on Etsy.
  • @momoumomo: Follow along with Momoko’s creative process on her Instagram account.
  • Lillstreet Gallery: The Chicago gallery that hosted Momoko for a two-year residency.
  • Mitate: A Japanese art concept that Momoko applies to her work.
  • Doraemon: This Doraemon clip features the Dokodemo Door that Momoko mentions.
  • Kintsugi: The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold.
  • Emaki: is a horizontal, illustrated narrative form that combines both text and pictures, and is drawn, painted, or stamped on a handscroll.

If you liked this episode, check out our interview with ceramicist Meredith Host.

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  • Finished work decorates a wall in Momoko's studio.
  • Mugs and moth vases await the next firing.
  • An inspiration wall behind Momoko's desk.
  • The bottom of a plate made by Momoko Usami.
  • A variety of work awaits the next step in the finishing process.
  • Paintbrushes and glazes await their turn on Momoko's studio workspace.
  • Working shelves in Momoko's office.
  • The potters wheel in Momoko's studio.
  • A pile of color studies for Momoko's moth vases.
  • A stormy figurine on Momoko's studio windowsill.
  • Shelves stacked with glaze in Momoko's studio.
  • Vases ready to be glazed in Momoko's studio.
  • Astronaut planters await the next step in their finishing process.
  • Figurine vases being glazed in Momoko's studio.
  • Celebration plates featuring Momoko's cats Hina and Neko.
  • In Momoko's kiln room, shelves are stacked with works-in-progress.
  • Face boxes, mugs and a vase. All works-in-progress.
  • Ceramic pieces from Momoko's community class are fired in her kiln room.
  • Projects from Momoko's community class.
  • The Fox light Momoko made that says Eureka when lit.
  • The Fox light Momoko made that says Eureka when lit.
  • The Fox light Momoko made that says Eureka when lit.
  • A shot of the inside of Momoko's spinning lamp.
  • A view of the inside of Momoko's lamp. When the lights heat up, the insert with her illustrations spin and are projected on the wall.
  • A resin light made by Momoko Usami. When the light heats up, a separate piece inside spins, projecting her brightly colored illustrations on the wall.
  • Host Betsy Blodgett interviews Momoko Usami.
  • Ceramicist Momoko Usami in her studio.

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