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About

In the field of ceramics, I explore the relationship between expression and sensation using form, space, and tactility in different contexts. 

My working process includes conceptual idea development and studies on forms in ceramic material. Development of ideas and research of materials go hand in hand, and I strive to achieve a result at the end of the process, where the conceptual aspect, the form expression, and use of material unify on a higher level.

In the process of working with clay, I often find myself in situations, where the material does not behave as expected. Every time, it makes me realize, that clay has its own unique nature, which I find exciting and challenging to explore. During my working process, I carefully study and follow the behavior and nature of the material, and I feel as if it guides me to find a way to achieve unseen ceramic expressions, which by no way can be realized by forcing clay into something else than it is.

Mariko Wada

Bio

Mariko Wada (born 1972, Japan) lives and works in Aarhus, Denmark. She graduated from Doshisha University, Kyoto in Japan in Aesthetics and Art Theory. She was educated in ceramics at Design School Kolding in Denmark. 

Based on conceptual ideas, she creates unique ceramic expressions with the inherent qualities of the material using form, space, and tactility. 

Her work deals with different artistic projects and assignments as a ceramicist and artist in international contexts. She has received international awards and grants including 3-year working grant from the Danish Art Foundation.

Selected exhibitions

  • 2023       YTF Gallery, Taipei, TW (R.O.C.)

    Art Taipei. Presented by YTF Gallery, TW (R.O.C.)

    STOF. Galleri Pagter, Kolding

  • 2022 Keramik som Tekstil på Tekstil som Keramik. Udstillingsstedet for tekstil, København

    Taiwan Ceramics Biennale. New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taipei, TW (R.O.C.)

    Drawings You’ve Never Seen. The Egg Collective, New York, US

    Softer. OBJEKT, Aarhus, DK

    RefeR. Museum of Classical Archaeology, Cambridge, UK

    MACHINERY – Guirlanden at the Industrial Museum. Industrimuseet, Horsens, DK  

  • 2021      Open And Closed. The Future Perfect Gallery, New York, US

    TERRAIN. Public art commission work, Nye, Aarhus (2018-21)

  • 2019       The Biennale for Craft and Design. Nordatlantens Brygge, Copenhagen, DK

  • 2018       NORDIC HANDS. Godsbanen, Aarhus, DK
                  Track of Clay – on paper and in space. Gallery Klejn, Allinge, DK
                  Ceramic Whispers. Charlotte Thorup Ceramics, Svaneke, DK
                  L – Guirlanden. Museum of Ancient Art and Archaeology, Aarhus, DK
                  About Clay. Fiskars, FI
                  About a Vase. Ceramic Museum of Monteluop, IT

  • 2017      So Near and Yet So Far. PLADS artspace, Aarhus, DK
                  VERSUS. TALISMAN – Magical Objects. CLAY Museum of Ceramic Art, Middelfart, DK
                  Contemporary Japanese Crafts. Hjorts Keramik Museum, Rønne, DK

  • 2016      Clay-body 2.16. Stadtgalerie im Elbeforum, Brunsbüttel, DE
                  Time and Space. Galleri Pagter, Kolding, DK
                  Ritual Voids. Officine Saffi. Milano, ITA
                  Secrets and Drones. Gallery VÆG, Aalborg, DK
                  Store småting. KIKshh, Roskilde, DK

  • 2015       The Biennale for Craft and Design. Carlsberg, Copenhagen, DK
                  HANDS+, CheongJu International Craft Fair, Cheoung Ju, ROK
                  Aquarium. Galleri Ann Linnemann, Copenhagen, DK
                  Révelations, Nordic stand, Grand Palais, Paris, FR

  • 2014       VERSUS. hun. Udstillingsstedet Spanien 19C. Aarhus, DK / Officinet, Copenhagen, DK
                  VERSUS. Meditations on a Hobby Horse. Galleri Kraft. Bergen, NO
                  HANDS+, CheongJu International Craft Fair, Cheoung Ju, ROK
                  Til ingen verdens nytte? Officinet. Copenhagen, DK

  • 2013      Secrets. Gallery Pagter, Kolding, DK
                  VERSUS. Meditations on a Hobby Horse. Nicolai Kunst og Design. Kolding, DK

  • 2012      New Nordic Ceramics, Vendsyssel Art Museum, Hjørring, DK
                  VERSUS. Meditations on a Hobby Horse. 68 Square Meters Art Space. Copenhagen, DK

  • 2011      Borderland. International Ceramic Museum, Middelfart, DK
                  Ceramics Now! Parcours ceramique Carougeois. Carouge, Switzerland

  • 2010      Across. Ny Tap, Carlsberg, Copenhagen, DK
                  VERSUS. Nature Morte - Ceramics as Images. Munkeruphus, Dronningmølle, DK

  • 2009       Terra-Morphologia. (solo) Grønbechs Gaard. Bornholm, DK
                  Europea Prize for Applied Arts 2009. Mons, Belgium, BE
                  9th International Biennal of Ceramics. Museu de Cerámica de Manises, ES
                  Body House. Maison et Objet, Paris, France
                  23th. Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition. Harbin, China

  • 2008      Taiwan Ceramics Biennale. Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, TW
                  Danish Crafts Collection 12. ICFF, New York, USA / Maison et Objet, Paris, FR
                  Clay 08. SAK Kunstbygning, Svendborg, DK
                  Pulse. Lobby, Aarhus, DK

  • 2007    Danish Crafts Collection 11. ICFF, New York, US/ Ambiente, Frankfurt, DE/ Maison et Objet, Paris, FR
                  Network Europe. Guldagergaard, International Ceramic Research Centre, DK
                  ICMEA Emerging Artists Competition. FuLe International Ceramic Art Museum, Kina

Grants

  • Danish Arts Foundation 3-years’ working grant

  • Danish Arts Foundation, working- and travel grants

  • Danmarks Nationalbank’s Anniversary Foundation of 1968

  • City of Aarhus

  • Annie & Otto Johs. Detlefs' Almennyttige Fond

  • Ellen og Knud Dalhoff Larsens Fond 

  • Knud Højgaard’s Fond

  • Danish Crafts

  • Anne Marie Telmányi født Carl-Nielsens Fond

  • L.F. Foghts Fond

  • De Bielkeske Legater

  • The Scandinavia – Japan Sasakawa Foundation

  • City of Kolding

  • Sundaymorning@ekwc grant

Awards

  • 2022       Public art project, TERRAIN, awarded by the Danish Arts Foundation

  • 2017 VERSUS’ group exhibition TALISMAN – Magical Objects awarded by the Danish Arts Foundation

  • 2016    VERSUS group awarded by Anni & Otto Johs. Detlefs’ Ceramics Prise, travel grant

  • 2013    VERSUS’ group exhibition Meditations on a Hobby Horse awarded by the Danish Arts Foundation

  • 2009 56th. Premio Faenza. 2 nd. prize. International Competition of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Italy

  • 2009 Kunsthåndværkerpris af 1879. Bronze medal, Denmark

Residencies/Workshops

  • 2019       Field Station, SLAM at Ifö Center, SE

  • 2015,17  Residency. European Ceramic Work Centre, NL

  • 2012    Symposium. Scanceram. Hjørring, DK

  • 2011 Residency. Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, JP

  • 2008 Workshop. Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan

  • 2006 Residency. International Ceramic Research Centre - Denmark

  • 2002 Workshop. Consorzio Per La Formazione Professionele, Faenza, Italy