An artist profile of Naomi Aiko Yasui
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Describe your process of creating a piece. What materials do you normally work in?
The foundation for many, if not all, of my projects is intensive research. Consumed mentally by the romantic, the secretive, and the scientific components of porcelain’s history, I primarily work in this material. I’m interested in early European industrial processes of ceramic making, historical forms and motifs, as well as, the chemistry of clay and glaze.
What projects are you working on? What do you have coming up, any shows?
Currently I’m working on a series of vessels representing the 59 different Alchemical compounds. I’m using Torbern Bergman’s 1775Dissertation on Elective Affinities as my key reference source. I will be participating in a dark magic themed exhibition with Narwhal Art Projects in December and have been planning an installation for design week early February. I also recently sent out a residency application to the European Ceramic Work Centre in the Netherlands. Fingers crossed!
When are you most productive?
I’m most productive during the day, mornings and early afternoons especially. I usually call it quits around 7 or 8 in the evening unless I’ve a deadline to meet. Seasonally, winter keeps me inside working for extended hours. It’s difficult spending time in my basement studio when weather is nice.
When did creating art become something important in your life?
I’ve always been interested in objects and living with things that satisfy my aesthetic. I initially wanted to paint, but after taking a number of sculpture courses at OCAD I realized I wanted to build. I love the process of understanding materials and problem solving – clay has been the most challenging. It’s become important to me as I understand ceramics to have the ability to express contemporary vernacular, as well, to inform on cultural histories in an art context. After graduating, I tried quitting it. I went 4 months without touching porcelain and nearly went insane. Since then it’s become one of my main priorities – I feel like I need it. I’ve committed to a larger, new studio space and have purchased my first kiln.
What are some of your favorite spots in the city? Some favourite places to go, eat, drink, bike ride?
Brunching! Aunties and Uncles, Saving GiGi/Grace, Musa, Insomnia {best potatoes} and Dong Hai before it died. The Common makes the BEST hot chocolate and I like meeting friends at Ronnies in Kensington for beer {cozy in the winter and sunny patio in the summer}. Trinity Bellwoods, of course, is always a nice and convenient place to congregate. St. Lawrence antique market on Sundays when I’ve got the $ because I can’t go to just look. Biking – Roncesvalles for icecream, antiques and looking at pretty houses, Cabbagetown for dance lessons and more pretty homes, and the Beaches for an experience different from downtown.
What are you currently obsessed with? Any blogs, pod casts, films, artists?
Audiobooks. The main criteria is that there has got to be romance – DH Lawrence is one of my favourites. I love historical fiction – War and Peace took a good 60-70 hours to get through. To be completely honest, right now I’m on the third book of the Twilight saga (Eclipse) and obsessed would be the most appropriate word. I’m really into fantasy or sci-fi as well. I’ve watched all of the original Star Trek movies in preparation for the upcoming new release.
What are your thoughts on the Toronto art scene compared to everywhere else you’ve experienced?
Toronto is the land of opportunity. After visiting Germany last fall, the youth of our city and country was completely realized. Matters of porcelain, in Europe, is something of common knowledge {not just amongst grannies} and their cultural history is evidently rich with age. Living and working in Toronto gives creatives the freedom to significantly contribute to a growing culture, as well to cultivate and inform the community about the importance of art & design and how it defines us globally. Toronto is my home and my creative colleagues are also my great friends. The camaraderie I feel here would be difficult to recreate anywhere else.
What is your survival food? Cheap eats for the starving artist?
Making a batch of soup, chili, or stew is the best way to keep fed on a minimal budget. To satisfy my sweet tooth I’ll usually make up a batch of cookies or a carrot or zuccini nut loaf. Summer time is the best to make seasonal rhubarb, blueberry and strawberry treats. It also helps having a gardening mother who shares her harvest of vegetables with me. When really in a bind, perogies, carrots, and frozen corn are most affordable.
Any last words?
My work is available at Magic Pony and please visit my process oriented blog.
