Kumiko Hashimoto

Kumiko Hashimoto was born in Tokyo in 1952 and graduated from the Musashino Art College in 1972, where she met her husband Kiyotaka. They taught ceramics together in Tokyo before coming to Australia. Since then, Kumiko has developed a sculptural style based on a personal language of decorative elements. Her focus is on hand building and surface finishes, the latter often patterns imprinted from native Australian plant and animal materials. Her recent work, a series of contemplative praying figures, marks a sophisticated departure from her more playful and colourful homewares.

 

Kiyotaka Hashimoto

Kiyotaka Hashimoto was born in Tokyo in 1951 and graduated from the Musashino Art College in 1974. After working as a ceramic instructor and studio potter at the prestigious Japan Ceramics Art Club, he migrated to Australia with his ceramicist wife Kumiko. Their Armidale studio was founded in 1992 and for nearly 20 years he has developed a unique Japanese style with innovative glazes inspired by the Australian landscape and coastline. Evolution of technique and material expression is important to Kiyotaka, and his current practise re-invigorates the subtle glazes and simple forms of his homeland.

 

Biographical information from the Japan Art Directory in Australia