Akiko Hirai, Moon Jar (M), Undated

Akiko Hirai (Japanese, b. 1970) is a London-based ceramic artist known for her evocative vessels that harmoniously blend traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary aesthetics. Her journey into ceramics began after relocating to the UK in the late-1990s, following an initial career in advertising in Tokyo. She pursued ceramics at the University of Westminster and Central Saint Martins, where she honed her craft and developed a distinctive approach that emphasises the beauty found in imperfection.

Hirai's work is deeply influenced by the Korean Moon Jar, particularly an 18th-century white porcelain "full moon" jar housed in the British Museum. She employs various building techniques, including throwing, hand-building, casting, and coiling, applying multiple layers of slips and glazes to create complex tones and textures. Her pieces often embrace irregularities and asymmetry, reflecting a philosophy that values imperfection. 

"To some, my work may appear to be imperfect because perfection contains only one message which is clearly defined by the maker. My attempt is to create the condition of progress in my work—something ambiguous, unsettled, and imaginative." - Akiko Hirai

(Photographed in February 2025)