How am I related with English potters?

Geoff and Christine Cox in Japan 日本滞在記

　

英国陶芸家達と私の関係

1999年　私達は娘と共に英国Manchesterに留学中の息子を訪ねLondonからレンタカーで各地を巡りました。レイク地方の美しい街 Keswickの画廊にたまたま立寄ると　奥のスタジオで大変興味ある作品を製作中の一人の陶芸家を見つけました。私達は彼に近寄り熱心にその技に見入っていました。そして彼に多くの質問を重ね私も日本の陶芸家である事を話しました。東洋と西洋の陶芸家同志が親しくなるのに時間は掛かりませんでした。ギャラリーを去ろうとする私に『重くて荷物になるけれどこれを持って帰るか？』と言いながら高さ４０ｃｍも有る人形を私にくれたんです。機内持ち込みで大切に持ち帰りました。それがイングランドやスコットランドの5箇所で　POTFESTを主催するGeoff COX氏である事をその時はまだ知りませんでした。私達の帰国後、息子は何度もGeoffとChristine COXの自宅に招待されました。

　

While on holiday in the UK in 1999, I by chance met Geoff Cox while working in� a gallery in Keswick. He was making some figures in one room of the gallery and his work was so interesting that I introduced myself and rained questions on him. When it came time for me to leave he asked whether I would like to take back to Japan the big and heavy doll he was holding in his arms. It was a bountiful gift so I carried it back to my home carefully. I didn't realize he and his wife Christine were the organizers of 5 POTFESTs in the UK.

　

2000年秋、 私はGeoffとChristine COXを日本に呼びました。二人は一カ月以上私の家に滞在しながらスタジオで創作し、万古作家達と交流しました。そして初めての東洋でいろんな冒険を楽しんだ後　帰国前私のギャラリーで作品発表展示会を開き多くのお客様に喜んで頂きました。

　

I invited Geoff and Christine to Yokkaichi, Japan in 2000 when they met members of the Banko Ceramics Art Association. They worked for a month with me in my studio, had many adventures including an exhibition at� the end of their stay and had a chance to meet with so many Japanese people who love pots.

　

Geoff is producing a new work in Japan.	reporting on their activities	Geoff and Christine COX in my house
Visiting ancient kiln sites in Tokoname	Aztec Head made of cray from Seto	holiday in the Grand Shrine of Ise
Local TV arrives	The activity in Yokkaichi was introduced by the television news.	In my garden on the day of the fine autumn day

　

2001年夏、英国でのJAPAN　Festival の一環としてGeoffはJapanese garden をテーマとし日本からの参加を呼び掛けて来ました。私は万古の陶芸仲間7人を誘い岡田文化財団の援助を受けながらPOTFEST in the Parkに参加しました。地元の新聞には7人の侍が日本から素晴らしい陶芸を紹介に来たと大きく報道されました。

　

The following year Geoff invited some Japanese potters to join the special POTFEST held as part of the UK year of Japan. Seven members of the Banko group went to Penrith to take part in the first Potfest in the Park.

　

my son putting firewood in British kiln	exhibition of art university that visits first	Forming room of art university
potters market in the Park	Geoff and Chris were a great help to my family	in front of the Castle
local TV arrives	all Potfest potters in the PARK 2001	chatted with Geoff, Nick and Japanese potters
Members of Banko Ceramics Assoc. at the Park introduced seven samurai from Japan.

　

2002年春　ロンドン在住の女流陶芸家　Caroline WHYMAN が日本の陶芸について取材の為来宅、沢山の写真と記事を採って帰りましたました。またその後　グラスゴーから Karen MACDONALD　がスコットランドでの陶芸展開催準備の為　日本の陶芸家を訪ねて我が家にも来宅しました。

　

In spring 2002, Caroline WHYMAN living in London visited me to collect data about Japanese pots and went back home with many photos. After that, Karen MACDONALD living in Glasgow dropped by my house when she was visiting Japanese potters.

　

Karen MACDONALD from Scotland		Caroline WHYMAN from London

　

2003.春　英国の陶芸家、Hans ULLRICH　が来日し 私の陶房で一ヶ月間製作しました。動物を題材にしている彼の楽しい作品はイギリスの子供達やその親達に大変人気が有り　帰国前に開いた作品展では私と全く違ったユーモア溢れる作品を発表しましtた。

　

The next year 2003,　English potter Hans ULLRICH visited and stayed at my studio for a month. He is famous for his witty works in his country.　He displayed his unique works in a private exhibition held at the end of his stay in Japan.

　

Hans standing in front of his exhibition poster	works that Hans produced in Japan	reporting on his activities
the mayor of Yokkaichi City came to see his exhibition	works carryed from England	works that Hans produced in Japanese cray

　

また　同年9月〜10月、現代イギリス陶芸の面白さと日本の陶芸との違いを多くの四日市市民に見て頂く為、私はGeoff をはじめとする7人の英国陶芸家達を四日市に呼びました。2001年夏渡英した万古陶芸家とのジョイント陶芸祭を四日市万古の里会館で岡田文化財団の助成を受け開催する事が出来ました。

　

In Sept and Oct 2003, I invited seven Potfest potters from England to participate in a cultural exchange with Banko potters in Yokkaichi which was made possible by subsidization from the Okada Foundation of Japan. The festival was a great chance for residents of Yokkaichi to see English potters with their new work.

　

Demonstrating in the Banko Ceramic Centre by Geoff and Eddie		Mr.and Mrs. DEWAR sang with the ukulele
Mr.Inagaki had invited them to meal before they leave　Japan	exchanging cultures	Japanese Harp concert in bamboo bush

enjoy Japanese art and temple	Eddie & Margaret CURTIS from Newcastle	Karen MACDODONALD from Scotland

all potters in the cultural exchange with Banko potters in Yokkaichi in 2003	enjoy games

　

2004年6月〜9月、家内と私は多くの英国の友人達の協力を得て　3ヶ月間の英国生活を経験する事になりました。鹿牧場の中に200年も前に出来た石の家を改築した新居を借り　すぐ近くのGeoffのスタジオで現地の土を使い日本から持ち込んだ絵の具で創作しました。焼き上がった作品は英国３ケ所でのPOTFESTに出品し　9月には毎年オランダで開催される Keramisto にも参加しました。

英国 Lake District での3ヶ月間を超える創作活動と滞在は、多くの友人達無くては実行出来なかった夢のような海外生活でした。特にChristine と Geoff COX 夫妻,　Eddie と Margaret CURTIS 夫妻,そして住居を貸してくれた Peterと Jane 夫妻には心からのお礼を申し上げたいと思います。

　

In the summer 2004, my wife and I stayed in England for three months. In Geoff's studio I worked very hard to make pots painted over with glaze brought from Japan. My pots made in England were sold at three POTFESTs in the UK and Keramisto in Holland where we visited at the end of our stay in Europe. The drive to Holland was full of adventure and was an amazing trip for us.

We never would have been able to stand staying away from home for so long without all the great times spent with our English friends new and old. Especially Eddie and Margaret CURTIS, Peterand Jane, Christine and Geoff Cox living near our place took such good care of us. We have no words to express our gratitude to them.

　

We opened penmanship and the Indian-ink drawing classroom in the Lake District's Residential College for Adult Education.		tea time under the warm sunbeam
in the studio of Geoff	Mr.and Mrs. Saifulin from Finland	the Sotheby's competition work
beautiful evening in the POTFEST park	Mr.and Mrs Biarnes from Spain	Demonstrating by Geert Jacobs from Netherlands
I visited the kiln making of the Britain type	happy time with ceramic artists from France and Japan.	unforgetable view from rented house where three months were spent
potters market Keramisto in Netherlands	ending party of Keramisto	children also enjoy the ceramic art and.

　

2006年7月、今年もまた２年ぶりにPOTFEST in the Parkに参加します。今回は現地では製作せず日本から持ち込む作品と英国に残してある作品を並べる予定です。今回５度目の訪問になりますが沢山の陶芸仲間やお客様に再度会える事を楽しみにしています。

In July 2006 we are coming to Potfest again and are looking forward to reuniting with many friends.

　

Back