Makiko Ichiura was born and raised in Tokyo. She graduated from Keio University in Tokyo, majoring in Art History and Aesthetics. She received her Masters degree in Chinese Art History at the University of London, with a speciality in Chinese Blue-and-White Porcelain. She has lived and worked in London, New York, and Los Angeles, before moving to Washington state, where she began to work in clay. Makiko has since exhibited at various shows in Washington, including Washington Clay Arts Association juried shows, Schack Art Center, Everett and Kirkland Art Center juried shows and is in the permanent collection at the Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner.
Her haniwa style horses were inspired by the tomb figures of 4th-7th century Japan, which are renowned for their stylistic simplicity and primitive sophistication. The horses and other animals are hand-built and often unglazed to maintain their rustic appearance. Makiko loves her rural lifestyle and daily encounters with animals, as she has for the past twenty years. Creating animals in clay has provided her with a deeper appreciation of their lives and how they relate to her own. It reinforces her sense of responsibility to the environment which we share.
The theme of her work is often inspired by current events and social climates, and at times by Japanese and other classic films. She incorporates a sense of humor, inspired by New Yorker cartoons, the Vinyl Cafe and Prairie Home Companion.
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Education
University of London, England, School of Oriental and African Studies, Master of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts. Chinese Art and Archeology, Percival David Foundation, 1969-1972
Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, BA in Aesthetics and Art History, 1962-1966
Selected Exhibitions
- “Tulipieres: The Tulip Vase Revisited” Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA; 2012
- “Embracing the Edge: Working in Clay in the Pacific Northwest” Schack Art Center Gallery, Everett, WA; 2012
- Washington Clay Artists Association juried show, Art Stop, Tacoma, WA; 2012
- “Water’s Edge” Allied Arts Gallery, Bellingham, WA; 2012
- Members’ Juried Show, Kirkland Art Center, Kirkland, WA; 2011
- “Blossom: Develop. Mature. Thrive.” Contemporary Asian Inspired Works by NW Artists, Northwest Craft Center, Seattle, WA; 2011
- “Pets on Parade III” The Arts Council of Snohomish County, Everette, WA; 2011
- Cascade Clay Artists Exhibition, The Arts Council of Snohomish County, Everett, WA; 2010
- “10 + 10 Teapot Show” Shoreline Community College Gallery, Shoreline, WA; 2009
- “Found in Translation” Contemporary Works Inspired by Asian Translation, TORA Gallery, Mount Vernon, WA; 2005
Permanent Collection
Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA; “Seven Warriors: aka The Magnificent Seven” 2011-2012
Affiliations
Washington Clay Art Association
http://www.cascadeclayartists.com