Hiroyuki Wakimoto is a ceramic artist celebrated for his innovative approach to traditional Japanese pottery techniques. Known for creating both functional and sculptural works, Wakimoto’s ceramics often explore the intersection of form, texture, and color. His pieces are characterized by their clean, modern lines combined with the warmth and depth of hand-crafted details.
Wakimoto was born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu, and first studied textile design at Osaka Art College. After soon becoming dissatisfied with textiles, he left college. What later proved to be a turning point in his life was a visit to a friend who was apprenticing with a ceramist in Bizen. He was inspired by Bizen ware and at 30, apprenticed under Jodi Yamashita. In 1990, he established his own kiln and studio in Bizen.
His work often concentrates on his personal and unique attention to form that is instantly recognizable with clean strong lines and his signature fire markings. He is particularly recognized for his mastery of form and surface, working with a meticulousness which frees him from haphazard guesswork and focuses the piece on abstract vision.
Through his blend of tradition and modernity, Wakimoto’s ceramics have earned him international recognition. His work is exhibited widely in Japan and abroad, where it is praised for its quiet elegance and technical precision.