Transformation / Henka

I have been working with ceramics for over 50 years. I want to stop briefly and look back at my creative journey to pivotal moments that have enabled my work to evolve. I believe that in Greek philosophy it was stated that the young seldom reflect on their journey in life, it is only the old who have that capacity.

Morphe. is Aristotle’s term for form. In Aristotle’s Metaphysics there is a duality between hyle as prime matter and morph‘ as that which forms this matter into the sensible things of the world. Latin translation: forma. Hence the word Transformation or Henka in Japanese, is very apt.

I am still fascinated how fire can transform clay into a durable long-lasting form, how fire can transform ‘glass’ into water. I like ceramics because you can become a sculptor who makes models using clay and also become a painter- you can paint on the surface of your objects. Moreover you can become an Alchemist who can make glazes to encompass the surface of clay objects.

Christians believe that God was a clay artist who made a human body from ashes, also like a magician making a female born from the male Eventually we all became ceramic objects, through fire our body returns to the earth! Yes, perhaps we are all ceramists?!

There are so many dichotomies in our lives. The old and the new, past, present and the future.

I think we should preserve good traditional things; however, we must also produce new creative things for the present and the future.

Thus, this show is a mix of my old and new work. It shows key points in my journey through this life in Sydney Australia, which is so far from my traditional homeland in Japan.

I have included functional as well as sculptural work, two dimensional paintings which I have produced since 1980, when our first son, Enku, was born. These paintings have evolved over time into unique works that are my own language.

I love the luxury of my journey. I work in the studio daily always seeking new inspirations and creating new works. 

Honestly, how far I will keep changing, I don’t know! I am enjoying pushing the boundaries.

Previously I expressed my work as:

“Clay is my body. Clay form is my character. Colour is my emotion.”

I still feel that this holds true, even after so many years of making ceramics

– Mitsuo Shoji. 2024

VIP preview

• Wednesday 18 Sep 2024

• 10 am - 6 pm

Opening & meet the artist

• Saturday 21 Sep 2024

• 1 - 3 pm