Sanae Shirai

Auckland, Central Auckland, New Zealand

Title: Old Form Vase

Year of Creation: 2009

Glaze: Soda fired black matt

Clay Body: Stoneware

Dimensions: Height 7.6 inches, Width 5.3 inches

Artist's Statement: About 1500 years ago, some Korean potters migrated to build the first kilns and make the first stoneware ceramics in Japan; the origin of anagama and Japanese craft ceramics. The memory of this original kiln fired stoneware is crucial to my work.

This vase follows one of the early traditional forms of that time, soda fired to emulate the character of early anagama.