At The Wheel — A Curator in Mashiko, an exhibition of work of Matthew Tyas, has launched in the Shop Gallery at the Leach Pottery.
During a two-month international artist’s residency at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art in Japan this year, Matthew created a new body of pots in the spirit of openness and acceptance. He was experimenting with local materials and searching for a rhythm between discovery and consistency.
Exploring a select palette of Mashiko materials and glazes, most pots were fired in the museum’s single-chamber wood kiln, using red pine for fuel. The pots were fired in such a way as to explore the subtle nuances in heat and atmosphere that occur in such a kiln.
Matthew especially enjoyed working with the Kitagoya clay, testing to see how it could be used in ash glazes. Some results became part of the final work.
He became absorbed with ash-based glazes, glazes containing clay, and using slip over clay, aiming to work with the clay as deeply as he could so that its material and rhythm remained voiced and at the forefront of the making and firing process.
This selected body of 80 pieces comprises a series of sculptural forms alongside more personal domestic items, such as yunomi, bowls, and beakers, all chosen for their truth to the experience of Mashiko.
Matthew is curator and deputy director at the Leach Pottery, and completed a PhD with the pottery and Falmouth University in 2014, investigating digital craft and making Standard Ware in the 21st century. He graduated from Cardiff in 2008 with an MA in ceramics and continues his practice in Cornwall.
The exhibition runs until 5th October, then moves online from 27th October until 23rd November.
