Hiroshi Toyofuku is a ceramic artist known for his contemporary interpretations of Bizen, a style named after the Bizen area of the Okayama Prefecture where Toyofuku resides in Japan. Toyofuku’s work is a powerful contrast between solidity and lightness as he works to strike a balance of tension in each vessel. He uses hiyose clay traditional to Bizen pottery which cannot be glazed and is wood-fired. Toyofuku’s work then relies on an ability to convey the uniqueness of the soil from which the piece comes from. In this way, materiality is brought to the forefront as a pure expression of nature.
Toyofuku’s ceramics have been exhibited both in Japan and internationally, where they are recognized for their quiet elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. His work continues to evolve, reflecting his ongoing exploration of form, texture, and the natural world.