Naomi Ashida's ceramics possess charms like picture books that warm one's heart. Soft lines, and animals and figures make us feel relaxed. They give us pleasure probably because these figures seem to enjoy, as if they are humming, themselves. Ashida's regular series "AMETSUCHI" have beautiful and unforgettable color of blue. And the mountain chain is floating in the blue sky. In addition to these useful popular series (such as cups, plates, flower vases, and candle holders), Ashida creates works with different themes for every exhibition opportunity. She weaves her works into a rich and original world with hopes; "'I want to use, I want to have it in my space, or I just want to look…' I would like people to feel that way about my works" (artist's comment). About This Exhibition
The motif of the exhibition is "Mad Tea Party," inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. "The works of the exhibition start with the scene that Carroll started telling a story to Alice and other children on a boat in 'the golden afternoon.' Alice chased a rabbit and fell into a hole. She wondered around in a bizarre underground world. Surprises happened one after the other, and here started 'mad' tea party with the hatter, rabbit, and dormouse…." (by the artist). This exhibition features ceramic pieces that would suit real tea parties such as teapots, cups, cake plates, pots, bowls, lampshades, as well as her sculptural works. Profile
Naomi Ashida was born in 1975 in Kyoto. She graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Craft Division, Ceramic major in 1998, and received M.F.A. from Kyoto City University of Arts, Graduate School of Art, Craft Division, Ceramic major in 2000. She currently lives and works in Matsugasaki, Kyoto, Japan. Ashida's solo exhibitions have been held at Dohjidai Gallery of Art (1999, Kyoto), Takashimaya Kyoto 6F Art Gallery (2001, 2003, 2006, Kyoto), human + art Taiyo-jimu (2007, 2008, Kyoto), Gallery Nekogameya (2009, Kyoto), etc. She has exhibited at many group exhibitions including Fukugan Gallery (2004, 2005, Osaka), Art Life Mitsuhashi (2002-2005, 2008, Kyoto). Ashida has been awarded in "Kyoto Togei no Atarashii Me (New Bud in Kyoto Ceramics)" (organized by Tachikichi Corp.) 3 times. Her works are always available at TKG Editions (Ginza, Tokyo) and TKG Editions Kyoto. * The text provided by Koyama Tomio Gallery.