Koie Ryoji Visits the Pottery

Koie Ryoji, an internationally respected ceramicist and sculptor, spent ten days at the Saint John’s Pottery, September 4 through 14. Described as a “pottery master-star” and “the enfant terrible of potters, whose absolute dedication to his own quirky individuality serves him well,” he recently received the prestigious Oribe Award, Japan’s highest honor for a contemporary living artist in architecture, music and fine arts. It is similar to their National Living Treasure award for traditional artists. During his time here, Koie created several hundred pieces, to be fired in the October 2008 Johanna Kiln firing.