My artistic goal with ceramic materials is to shape an expression based on the wonderful phenomenon of nature rather than to be completely made up of man’s power. This is because ceramics is created from chemical reactions and material changes by heating. I want to create my pieces as ‘having evolved a piece naturally’ by controlling the characteristics of materials and the action of firing. It is impossible, of course, to control the phenomenon completely. However, it is important for me to challenge nature, to pursue the possibilities within the control of the artist and to realise the principle of nature. The beauty that comes from the fusion between creativity of man and the power of nature. -This is the goal I want to achieve with the materials.
Koji Shiraya

Education

2010 MA Royal College of Art, Ceramics and Glass

Solo exhibitions

2023
To keep moving, you must keep your balance, COHJU contemporary art, Kyoto
2018 the world, COHJU contemporary art, Kyoto
2017 After the dream, 2017 in Maniwa, old Senkyo elementary school, Okayama
2016 the world, COHJU contemporary art, Kyoto
2015 SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, Gallery 360°, Tokyo
2013 Trinary, Victor Felix Gallery, London

Selected group exhibitions

2023
Nakanojo Biennale 2023, Gunma

Nakanojo Biennale 2023 Preview, Seibu Shibuya, Tokyo
2021 Nakanojo Biennale 2021, Gunma

Hishio achieve exhibition, Hishio, Okayama
2020 Adrian Sassoon at Sotheby's, Sotheby's, London
2019 Nakanojo Biennale 2019, Gunma
2017 Memories and records, Galerie Ashiya Schule, Hyogo
2016 Surprising Japan, Usagi Gallery, Hong Kong
2014 Odyssey, The Church of St Edmund The King, London
2013 Insight into Beauty: Chawan, Embassy of Japan in the UK, London

Odyssey, Bath Abbey, Bath

The Homecoming, Victor Felix Gallery, London
2012 Award Winners’ Exhibition, Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham

The Open West, Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester
2011 Ku’ Damm 101 Happening 2011, Ku’ Damm 101 Hotel, Berlin

Art in the Gardens 2011, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire
2010 Making Sense, Flow Gallery, London

SHOW 2010, Royal College of Art, London
2009 Einfall: Beyond Spontaneity, Freud Museum, London

Selected art fairs

2022
Adrian Sassoon, Masterpiece, London
2019 COHJU contemporary art, Art Osaka, Osaka
2018 COHJU contemporary art, Asia Now, Paris

COHJU contemporary art, Sydney Contemporary, Sydney

COHJU contemporary art, Seattle Art Fair, Seattle
2017 COHJU contemporary art, Sydney Contemporary, Sydney
2016 COHJU contemporary art, Untitled, Miami

COHJU contemporary art, Art16, London

COHJU contemporary art, Art Stage Singapore, Singapore

Awards

2017
Scholarship, the 150th Anniversary of Japan-Denmark diplomatic relations
2012 Curators Award, The Open West
2008 Bronze, Ceramic Design, The 8th International Ceramic Competition MINO, Japan
2005 Silver, Ceramic Arts, The 7th International Ceramic Competition MINO, Japan