Yoko sekino-Bove
Duration: December 2019-January 2020
Yoko Sekino-Bové explored and experimented with new ideas of porcelain jewelry during her short-term residency in New Harmony. In Japanese culture, there is a long tradition of “Netsuke,” a small charm that became very popular during the Edo period. The subjects varied a great deal, but the majority of netsuke are representational and somewhat illustrative, which works well with Yoko’s style.
Additionally, she will continue her investigation on the theme of porcelain pillows. The Asian tradition of the ceramic pillow was originally intended to be functional: to cool the head during the hot summer nights. It has also been an object of desire to indicate the wealth and taste of the owners since 12th century China. The idea of sleep and/or lack of it are an intimate subject to Yoko, and is still a project in the development stage. She is excited to explore and discuss her ideas with the fellow resident artists at NHCP, to gain inspiration and learn from them as well.
quick facts
How many years have you been working as a clay artist? Ceramic making has been my major daily activity for the last 15 years, since I earned my MFA in ceramics.
What is your main clay body that you currently use? I have a mid-range porcelain clay body for the last 14 years.
What is the primary method you use for building your work? Wheel throwing is my cup of tea.
What is your favorite studio tool? My hands. I can buy and/or make any other tools, but my hands are irreplaceable.
Do you have any future clay wishes or dreams? Thank you for the good question! I used to tell people my wish would be world domination (to place my work in each and every home). The revised wish is that I can enjoy working with clay for a long, long time.
ARTIST STATEMENT
It has been twenty-four years since I moved to the United States.
Speaking two languages is like having two rivers of thought flowing in my head. With both rivers of language and culture constantly flowing, I learned that there are many similar ideas and expressions they have in common.
I started experimenting with the idea of using similar sayings in different languages. The endeavor was to establish a bridge between people. At this time of political extremism and confrontation, we can use reminders about how similar we are instead of focusing on how different we are. If we learn that strangers feel like us, eat like us, and live like us, we can realize that they are, in fact, just like us. I am hoping that my work will create a small bridge between people.
My work has been in the category of the functional ceramic arts. However, function to me is rather a tool, just like color, scale, and other elements of design, not a goal itself to achieve. In the contemporary craft, functional ceramics can be seen as a potential vehicle of emotions and stories. It is so much fun to explore how much I can push the medium and direct the experimentation. Also, there is an anthropological interest in the subject. For example, many tableware objects have meanings behind them; sometimes overt, such as a mug that becomes part of a person’s daily coffee ritual, but sometimes more symbolic, like a tea set that indicates an enjoyable shared time in a civilized manner. I would like to take advantage of the medium of functional ceramics, which blend into people’s lives without a barrier of glass showcase or an astronomical price tag.
My goal is to unite people, to enhance the story that I want to deliver through the ceramic arts. It is my hope that my work will serve people in many different ways and levels. My work is here for you, for me, and hopefully for many people for many reasons.
BIOGRAPHY
BORN: Osaka, Japan
Yoko Sekino-Bové began her career as a graphic designer, receiving her B.F.A. from Musashino Art University in Tokyo, Japan, before moving to the United States. In Los Angeles, CA, she worked as a commercial designer before her passion for ceramic art took her onto a new path. She received a Master of Fine Art degree in Ceramics from the University of Oklahoma, and served as an artist-in-residence in the ceramics department of the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, for a year.
In 2005, Yoko moved to Washington, Pennsylvania, and started working from her home studio while teaching at local colleges and art centers. She has lectured and demonstrated extensively on surface decoration techniques along the east coast. Yoko’s porcelain work has been included in prestigious exhibitions nationally and internationally, such as Canada, Portugal, Japan, Latvia, Turkey, Dominican Republic, and South Korea.
In 2011, she was selected as one of the “Emerging Artists” by the Ceramic Arts Daily Council in the United States. Yoko has participated in several ceramics residencies, like the Arts/Industry residency at John Michael Kohler Art Center, the Archie Bray Foundation, and at Cerdeira Village in Portugal. Additionally, her works are featured in publications such as: 500 Cups, 500 Platters and Chargers, 500 Teapots Volume 2, Humor in Craft, and Cast, as well as a variety of periodicals.