Biography
Namika Nakai
1993 Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
2012 Graduated from Sapporo Kiyota High School
2013 Study at Sydney University of Technology
2014 Study at Danish National School of Fine Arts
2016 Graduated from Hokkaido University of Education 2019 Graduated from Tajimi City Ceramic Design Laboratory 2022 Graduated from Kanazawa Utatsuyama Craft Workshop
Award Winners
2022 78th Kanazawa City Crafts Exhibition Kanazawa University of Fine Arts and Crafts President
Award Kanazawa Utatsuyama Craft Workshop Workshop Prize
2021 Kanazawa Utatsuyama Craft Workshop Workshop Prize Kasama Pottery Grand Prize Exhibition
Award for Excellence
2020 78th Kanazawa City Crafts Exhibition Kanazawa University of Fine Arts and Crafts A
Newspaper President Award
Solo Exhibition
2023 Namika Nakai Solo show , HAKUSHI, Tokyo, JP NAMIKANAKAI,THEBRIDGE,Osaka,JP
NAMIKA NAKAI “tolerance” -Namika Nakai Exhibition-, space OHARA, Gifu, JP
Ukabu, TARO NASU, Tokyo, JP
2022 NAMIKA NAKAI –Till-, PUBLIC RECORD, Auckland, NZ
Exhibition of Namika Nakai , gallery Rohan, Shizuoka, JP
Exhibition of Namika Nakai , gallery FUURO, Tokyo, JP 2021 Exhibition of Namika Nakai , Hakushi,
Tokyo, JP
Exhibition of Namika Nakai , space OHARA, Gifu, JP
Veil Of Strength, pragmata gallery, Tokyo, JP
2020 Exhibition of Namika Nakai , gallery Rohan, Shizuoka, JP
Exhibition of Namika Nakai , gallery norm, Wakayama, JP
2019 maku-su-, gallery MARUNI, Hyogo, JP presence and time, shiranui, Takamatsu, JP
Exhibition of Namika Nakai , gallery FUURO, Tokyo, JP
Group Exhibition
2023 ceramic synergy, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Kyoto,
JP “MEMORIES 03” selected by Hozu Yamamoto, CADAN, Tokyo, JP
Tea Utensils, FUURO, Tokyo, JP
2022 5th Zanzon Kyoumei , RITUMUS, Saga, JP
Art bottles and cup exhibition, Nihombasi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, JP
Exhibition of sukinakatachi IV, gallery suki, Aichi, JP
Exhibition of Guinomi, gallery suki, Aichi, JP
Art Today's writer bowl feature, Nihombasi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, JP
The imperceptible revealed, A. Iynedjian Fine Art Sarl(AIFA), Switzerland, CH
2021 Art bottles and cup exhibition, Nihombasi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, JP
Kasama Pottery Grand Prize Exhibition, Kakiden Gallery, Tokyo, JP
Exhibition of Guinomi, gallery suki , Aichi, JP
Kasama Pottery Grand Prize Exhibition, Nihombasi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, JP
2020 2th Zanzon Kyoumei , RITUMUS, Saga, JP
Exhibition of Namika Nakai and Wataru Haruno, gallery MARUNI, Hyogo/Tokyo, JP
Exhibition of Namika Nakai and Yoichi Shiraishi, TO U, Kanazawa, JP
Exhibition of SAKE, TO U, Kanazawa, JP
The Present Situation of Ceramic Art, gallery VOICE, Gifu, JP
2th yoinokatachi, gallery VOICE, Gifu, JP
2018 2th wannokatachi , gallery VOICE, Gifu, JP
The Present Situation of Ceramic Art, gallery VOICE, Gifu, JP
Public Exhibition
2023 Kogei Art Fair Kanazawa 2023, Hyatt Centric Kanazawa, Ishikawa, JP
2022 5th Triennale of Kogei Kanazawa(winning an election), 21st Century Museum of
Contemporary Art, Ishikawa, JP
78th Kanazawa City Crafts Exhibition Kanazawa University of Fine Arts and Crafts (President
Award), Ishikawa, JP
2021 9th Kikuchi Biennale(winning an election)Tomo museum of art, Tokyo, JP Kasama Pottery
Grand Prize Exhibition (Award for Excellence), Ibaraki, JP
2020 54th Woman's association of ceramic art(winning an election), Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum
of Art, Kyoto, JP 76th Kanazawa City Crafts Exhibition Kanazawa University of Fine Arts and Crafts (President Award), Ishikawa, JP
2019 4th Triennale of Kogei Kanazawa(winning an election), 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, JP 2018 Craft Competition in Takaoka(winning an election), Toyama, JP
Artist Statements
Amidst the diversification of ceramic expressions, I have been investigating the question of what constitutes the essence of ceramics. Many techniques in ceramics are underpinned by methodologies developed within the context of industrial efficiency and the stability of mass production. However, contemporary ceramic techniques used in sculptural works need not necessarily adhere to these industrially-derived practices. It is my contention that, by diverging from these conventions, one can more closely approach the intrinsic nature of ceramics. Accordingly, I focus on materials and seek to explore the essence of ceramics through the "reinterpretation of ceramic materials," developing works by questioning their traditional uses. This involves decoupling the materials employed in ceramic production from their typical applications and attempting to deconstruct and reconstruct their conceptual frameworks.
From 2019 to 2023, my works primarily utilized clay and glaze, interpreting phenomena such as cracking, melting, and warping—typically viewed as defects in industrial ceramics—as fundamental qualities of the medium. Additionally, since 2023, I have been reinterpreting metals by exploring novel approaches that diverge from their conventional use in generating chromatic effects.
My research and production processes spanned from 2016 to 2024, conducted in various significant ceramic centers in Japan. These included Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture, a major site of Mino ware and the Japanese ceramic industry; Shigaraki Town in Shiga Prefecture, recognized as one of the Six Ancient Kilns; and Ishikawa Prefecture, renowned for its vibrant craft culture and production of Kutani ware.
works
