Hanako Nakazato (Monohanako)
Artist: Hanako Nakazato (Monohanako)
Material: Pottery Clay
Area: Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, Japan / Maine, USA
Hanako Nakazato's technique and philosophy are deeply rooted in the ceramic traditions of Karatsu, Japan, where her family's history in pottery spans several generations. However, her years living in the West have influenced the shapes and surfaces of her work, giving her pieces a modern, international flair.
Dividing her time between studios in Karatsu and Maine, Hanako creates simple, functional forms that are featured in galleries and shops in both countries. Her ceramics are distinguished by a captivating range of colors, from denim-like blues to crisp whites and deep navies that evoke the cosmos.
She encourages users to explore different ways of using her pieces, much like fashion, adapting to the season or mood. This sense of freedom in her designs invites people to reflect on and enjoy the everyday moments of their lives through her work.
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Raised in Karatsu, she moved to the United States at the age of 16 and has spent much of her life there since.
After discovering a deep appreciation for Japan's unique food culture, she returned home after graduating from university to study pottery under her father, Takashi Nakazato.
Starting with a parent-child exhibition at Manyodo in Tokyo in 2000, she has since held numerous solo exhibitions across Japan and the United States.
In 2007, she established her own studio, monohanako, in her hometown of Karatsu.
In 2010, she founded monohanakowest in Maine. She now divides her time between Karatsu and Maine, spending six months in each location to create her pottery.
