Description

Hand Painted Studio Pottery 'The Box of Love' with nine (9) Heart-shaped ceramic Hugs, Promises & Feelings hand made by Shoko Mafune of Shoko Ceramics ca. 2010. Measures 9cm to top of handle, square sides 7.5cm, weighs 463g including nine hearts. Perfect condition. Japanese-born Shoko Mafune trained under ceramic masters in Japan in the 1970s followed by study, research and exhibiting in Europe and Japan in the '80s before settling in the Philippines. Since the early 2000s Shoko has lived between the Philippines and Melbourne where she has continued her practice, Shoko Ceramics, exhibiting at artist markets as HugBell Ceramics and teaching Japanese ceramics. Artist Statement 'The Box of Love' "I had been a stall holder the Sunday Craft Market at Williamstown and Hawthorn, Victoria almost 3 years. On one particular Sunday I placed a red heart shaped box along with pencil and paper on my stand. I asked the people who come to my stand to write down '' What is Love " for them. I collected their messages, and recreated their thoughts on to my small ceramics hearts. These hearts were then shared with others at the next Sunday Market. This become my small LOVE project that I 'd hoped would connect people through mutual feelings." "I have played with clay since I was a child. My techniques were developed from learning under a traditional Japanese ceramics master for five years. However my style has evolved and has been affected by living in different countries and encountering different cultures... My intention is to attract people to touch (not only look) and interact with my work, and in return I want my ceramics to connect the people together. I hope my art can, even for a slight moment, inspire feelings of delight in people." - Shoko Mafune