MakingOf_MarikoWada_Photo_Ole_Akhoj_1.jpg
 

About

I explore how form, colour, space, and material shape sensory perception. Working across different scales, I create sculptural works and installations that invite slow observation and embodied experience.

I work primarily with clay, using my hands as the central tool. Through the material’s plasticity, I shape ceramic forms that emphasise tactility and spatial presence. The process is intuitive and attentive, allowing form to emerge through direct engagement with the material.

As I work, I often encounter moments where clay behaves in unexpected ways. These situations draw my attention to the material’s own character, which I find both challenging and inspiring. By carefully observing and responding to its behaviour, I allow the work to unfold in dialogue with the material, rather than through control or force.

Mariko Wada

Bio

Mariko Wada was born in Japan, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in aesthetics and art theory, before training in design and ceramics at the Design School Kolding in Denmark.

She runs her own ceramic studio in Aarhus, Denmark. Her practice focuses on sculptural, abstract ceramic work, which has been exhibited internationally. She has received several awards and grants for her work.

Alongside her studio practice, she is a co-founder of the non-profit organisation HINT project, which introduces contemporary craft to a broader audience.

Interview

“It makes no sense to create if you know the outcome ahead of time”

Interview published in the digital archive and journal, FORMKRAT in 2021.

Written by Sara Staunsager, MA in Aesthetics and Culture. Curator of Collections at Trapholt museum of modern art, craft and design.

Read the interview: UK / DK

Selected exhibitions

  • 2026 Latitude & Longitude. Gallery RUMMET, Odense, DK

  • 2025 XXXII. Contemporary Ceramics Competition 'Mediterraneo', Grottaglie, IT

    Impression. Gallery Lene Bilgrav, Aarhus, DK

    Xammlung. Justus Liebig University, Giessen, DE

  • 2024 EARTH CONNECTIONS. Matter – House of Craft, Nexø, DK

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

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

    STOF. Galleri Pagter, Kolding, DK

  • 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