Tradition is vital in art, requiring each generation to reinterpret it. Introduced by master potter Jim Keeling, Koichiro Isezaki and Mike Goldmark talk about Isezaki’s life in pottery. They discuss the possible pressures of being from a long line of great potters, including a Living National Treasure, and how family support has enabled him to forge his own path and come to the art of pottery in his own time.
Isezaki’s move to America, to study under Jeff Shapiro, brought cultural challenges but also opportunities for growth and experimentation. Isezaki explains that whilst finding a unique artistic voice is crucial, it is something to develop organically, focusing on past experiences and future aspirations without strict goals, and valuing the input of previous generations.
