Duo Exhibition of Momoko and Tetsuya Otani “A Beautiful Lifestyle”

Dates: 21 February - 2 March, 2025

21 & 22 February: Momoko and Tetsuya Otani in attendance.

Opening Talk: Saturday, 22 February, 11am - 12:30pm

　　　　　　Drinks and refreshments provided

　　　　　　 (fully booked)

Location: Kurashi Japanese Crafts

463 High Street, Prahran, VIC 3181, Australia

All items will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis when the doors open at 10:30am on opening day 21 February 2025.

Kurashi is excited to present a joint exhibition featuring ceramic works by the husband-and-wife duo, Momoko Otani and Tetsuya Otani. With both aesthetic appeal and practicality, their collections highlight the vast potential of the ceramic medium.

The collections created by this master potter couple are unique from one another, yet shaped by their shared life in the studio and home in the historic pottery town of Shigaraki, Japan. Living together as a family—farming, cooking, and sharing meals—their work and personal lives are deeply intertwined, which in turn influences the practicality and purpose behind each of their collections.

Tetsuya’s porcelain pieces vary in size, with clean, pure shapes and an impressive, smooth surface texture. Using the wheel throwing technique, he creates a range of items, from decorative vases to functional tableware. His work is characterized by a pristine matte white glaze, which not only enhances the durability of the pieces but also serves as a defining feature of his porcelain collection.

In contrast, Momoko’s pieces made from iron-rich clay are richly textured, with layers of colors and motifs inspired by her love of lotus flowers. She hand-forms and hand-paints each piece, employing a unique sgraffito technique, where surface designs are carefully etched into thin layers of slip.

To celebrate this one-of-a-kind exhibition, we teamed up with both artists to create a collaborative Hand-Painted Porcelain Dinner Plate that showcases their combined craftsmanship. The result is exactly as we imagined: a seamless blend of Tetsuya’s meticulous wheel-thrown shapes and Momoko’s intricate hand-painted lotus designs in rich indigo blue. This piece beautifully captures the essence of their respective techniques coming together.

In addition, it'll be the very first time to see their popular planters by the couple in their overseas exhibition. For those who love interior design and handcrafts, don't miss out this exclusive show!

We are thrilled to share the heartfelt craftsmanship behind each of these handmade pieces and invite you to immerse yourself in the Otani family’s world during this special exhibition.

Join us on the opening day Friday, 21 February to meet the artists for the first time, followed by an opening talk event on Saturday morning 22 February, from 11am - 12:30pm, where the couple will give a talk to share about their pottery career and the attitude of living a beautiful slowlife. Guests will enjoy refreshments and Japanese tea, personally brought from Japan by the Otanis.

(text by Kurashi Japanese Crafts)