Artist Spotlight with Troy Yoshimoto

Troy Yoshimoto is a maker and an industrial designer hailing from New York, now currently based on O’ahu — his work explores the sculptural, fluid art form of ceramics which often highlights an influence from his Japanese heritage. He is a fellow community member of one of our favorite places, FISHCAKE, so we found it fitting to discuss his process and thoughts on creating ceramic pieces that evoke uncanny moments in nature.

What drew you to the tactile art of ceramics?

T: I've always been drawn to the analog nature of ceramics. There are so many natural elements that you need to work with. In every stage of ceramics, there’s a *just right* consistency that you learn to control. For example, when does clay have the perfect consistency to throw, and when is it perfect to trim? What’s humbling and beautiful about ceramics is that the only way to know what is *just right* is by getting it wrong. Ceramics makes you good at failure.

What are you inspired by when making your pieces?

I find a lot of inspiration in patterns in nature. I'm constantly trying to capture a feeling that I can never capture via photos, videos, or drawing. Lately, I’ve been working on this series, “Moving Water,” that aims to capture undulating bodies of water. Within the past few years, I’ve become absolutely obsessed with fly fishing and surfing. Both involve studying and reading patterns in the ocean or rivers, and I could stare at those bodies of water for hours on end. To the point where I still see moving water when I close my eyes hours after a session. I’m trying to capture that same feeling of curiosity and fascination.

I also find inspiration from my fellow studio mates. I find I make my best work when I’m having fun, and I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by fun and extremely talented ceramic nerds. Shoutout to Fishschool Hawaii and NY Togei!

How do you envision your customers/clients living with and enjoying your products? What's the ideal life cycle of your pieces?

I hope that my work becomes a favorite/go-to piece that people look forward to using in their everyday. I hope they feel the same feeling that I’m trying to capture whenever they pick up one of my pieces. Ideally, they stay with you forever.

Follow Troy Yoshimoto and his work at @troy.yoshimoto

Images of Troy Yoshimoto courtesy of Brandyn Liu
Images of Troy Yoshimoto’s ceramics courtesy of Asato Iida