ARTIST’S STATEMENT

“I use my imagination to the fullest to create my work. I look for elegance, emotion, and movement in each piece of my work. After firing my pottery I am always excited and I am looking forward to the next event. I always try to make it netter than the precious work. It is endless work but it is challenging to myself. It is possible for me to create anything in clay, if I use my imagination. Working with clay gives me pleasure and satisfaction.

My teapots, although they do not appear functional, are quite the opposite. All of my pieces are lead free. They are functional and are microwave and dishwasher safe.”

PROFILE

Sayoko Becker was born in Kyushu, Japan. She studied art illustration at the Setsu-Mode Art School in Tokyo. She worked as a graphic designer, and then as a window display artist. She was a textile designer for seven years prior to her move to the United States.

Sayoko studied ceramics for a year at Mesa College in 1990 and then moved to Julian, where she opened a studio in her home. Ceramics was begun as a hobby, however it soon became a full time effort. Painting and art design, learned at the Tokyo Art School, was instrumental in creating her decorations for her ceramics. Mason stain is used for her decorations on white stoneware. the ceramics are bisque to cone 06 and glazed fired to cone 6 in an electric kiln.

Sayoko has been in several one-person, invitational, and juried shows, throughout the country and in Japan. She has won several major awards and her work is featured in collections throughout the world.