Born in Toyko in 1981, Yoca Muta is a contemporary ceramic artist working in the Kutani-yaki style of ceramics. A technique that can be described as painting finely onto ceramic, Kutani-yaki is a style of Japanese porcelain traditionally from Kutani, now a part of Kaga, Ishikawa which first developed in the 17th century. The designs of kutani-yaki are traditionally bold and colourful, depicting landscapes as well as the beauty of nature.

Yoca Muta initially studied painting in at Toyko Zokei University, before coming to the UK to study a BA in Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, University of London which she graduated from in 2008. Whilst working on film and conceptual installation during her time studying in London, she came to want to create something more permanent and rooted in her life. She made the decision to return to Japan to train in ceramics, which she had always admired, and settled on Kutani-yaki style given its close relation to painting and her affinity with that medium. She graduated from the Kutani-yaki training school in 2012.

Despite only being a mid career artist, she is undoubtedly a leading Kutaniyaki maker. Her work is admired and collected on a large international scale. With even the smallest of her forms taking several weeks to decorate, her work is rarely available. From her workshop and residence in Nomi City she creates a wide range of vessels, from everyday tableware and tea utensils to fine arts and crafts. She has an awe and admiration for nature, which forms her strong curiosity and desire to paint mostly animals and plants. Alongside the basic features of Kutani-yaki, Yoca san’s work includes elements of pop culture such as ancient Japanese patterns and themes, western drawings, and contemporary Japanese manga.

Artist CV

2008 Graduated from Goldsmiths College, London
2008 Solo Exhibition, 'A Tale of Two Suns', Iniva, London
2008 'New Contemporaries 2008', London
2011 'We who saw signs', ICA Gallery, Singapore
2012 Graduated from Ishikawa Kutaniyaki Training Centre, Ishikawa, Japan
2012 Itami International Craft Exhibition, Prize Awarded
2014 'NIPPONISTA', Mitsukoshi Iseton, NY
2014 Solo Exhibition, 'Yoca Muta Exhibition', Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Art Salon, Tokyo
2016 Art Fair Tokyo, KOGEI, Selected by Mitsukoshi, Tokyo
2016 '11th Paramita Ceramic Grand prize Exhibition', Grand prize, Mie prefecture
2018 Solo Exhibition, 'Benmutsuki', Enshira, Japan
2018 VOLTA14, Gallery Koyanagi, Switzerland
2018 Solo Exhibition, 'Some Comfortable Rubbles', Kingyo Kukan, Taiwan
2019 'The Sake Vessel - Contemporary Interpretations', The Stratford Gallery, United Kingdom
2020 Book Published, 'The Vessels of Aesthetic', Maruzen, Tokyo
2020 'Treasures of Japan', The Stratford Gallery, United Kingdom
2021 VOLTA2021, Gallery Koyanagi, Switzerland
2022 'Genreless Kogei', National Crafts Museum, Ishikawa, Japan
2023 'Yoca Muta - A Solo Exhibition - Kutaniyaki Redefined', The Stratford Gallery, United Kingdom