KENJI URANISHI

The built, natural and social environments are a constant source of inspiration. Simple insights and observations in everyday life—people, place, belonging and time— find their way into my work, manifesting in form and pattern. I am interested in and influenced by architecture and nature, and how people interact with both. As a Japanese artist, my work draws upon the longstanding traditions of ceramics in Japanese art and culture. However, my experiences of living in Queensland for a decade, has seen my interest in these traditions increasingly working in dialogue with the contemporary.

Born Japan. Initial training, Nara College of Fine Arts, Japan 1992–96. Arrived in Australia 2004, moved to Brisbane. Exhibitions include: 7 solo and over 60 invitational group exhibitions in Australia, Japan and internationally. Collections include: National Gallery of Australia; Gold Coast City Art Gallery; Newcastle Regional Gallery; Caboolture Regional Art Gallery. Corporate representation includes: Ipswich Courthouse; 400 George Street foyer in Brisbane. Workshop presentations include: arts organisations, universities, galleries and conferences. Participated as artist-in-residence at Australian National University. Awards include: 2005, 43rd National Asahi Ceramic Art Competition, Prize winner, top four, special selection exhibition and numerous others; 2014, recipient of Asialink’s Artist Residency program,12 weeks in Arita, Kyushu, birthplace of porcelain in Japan.