KEN ADAMS TAKES US ON A JOURNEY INTO THE DEPTHS OF CERAMIC INNOVATION

 

Ken Adams thrives on the thrill of exploration. His mission is to test the limits of liquid porcelain, and he does so with a sense of playfulness that is as unconventional as it is inspiring. He dares to mould porcelain into baboons of various shapes and sizes, utilizing this whimsical approach to forge vessels that boast extraordinary textures and breath-taking shapes.

Nestled amidst Tokyo's towering skyscrapers, a small ceramics studio in Shibuya served as Ken Adams' sanctuary for several years. Here, amidst the bustling city life, he honed his craft in functional ceramics. It was a decade later, upon returning to the United Kingdom, that Ken made a solemn promise to himself. He vowed that if he ever happened to break his cherished creation—a bowl inspired by 18th-century Seto ware—he would establish his own ceramic studio to recreate it. Four years ago, he fulfilled that promise, embarking on a journey that would infuse his life with the magic of clay.

In Ken Adams' world, creativity thrives amidst failures more profoundly than successes. The unpredictability of each artistic endeavour, every uncertain step into the unknown, serves as a wellspring of inspiration. In these moments of creative exploration, Ken discovers the uncharted territories of possibility. It's an embrace of the unexpected, a testament to the beauty found in life's imperfections.

Miracle, Almost | 2021 | BUY THIS PIECE HERE

For Adams, experimentation is not just about pushing artistic boundaries; it's also about speed. He has a remarkable ability to learn swiftly through trial and error, embracing the failures as valuable lessons. It's a journey where each step is a new opportunity to discover the uncharted territories of his chosen medium. In the world of ceramics, where perfection is often sought, Adams thrives on the unpredictable outcomes and the creative energy they bring.

In the past year, Ken's relentless curiosity led him to a remarkable revelation—the boundless potential of clay textures, harnessed through a remarkable property of latex balloons: their capacity for immense expansion and contraction. Leveraging this property as a foundation, Ken embarked on a creative odyssey, using the balloons as armatures for applying innovative mixtures of porcelain clay and an array of binders, including paper, glass fibre, gums, and glues. These latex balloons, though ultimately removed before firing, became the catalyst for crafting vessels that defied convention. These unique creations emerged with an extraordinary translucency, a sense of graceful movement, and an innate delicacy and beauty.

Another Universe | 2021 | BUY THIS PIECE HERE

Born in Greece, Ken's earliest introduction to ceramics occurred during his childhood in the Mediterranean. However, his academic pursuits led him down a different path, where he delved into the realms of Zoology and Botany. Later, his professional journey carried him into the world of finance, where his career flourished, ultimately taking him to Japan. It was amidst the dynamic blend of cultures and experiences in Japan that Ken's passion for ceramics would be reignited.

At the core of Ken Adams' creative process lies an insatiable curiosity and an innate yearning for experimentation. It's an exploration of materials and techniques that defies convention, with calculated risks consistently embraced. With each project, he dares to venture into uncharted artistic waters, driven by the thrill of discovery.

Stroke Me At Tea Time | 2021 | BUY THIS PIECE HERE

 

Above all, Ken Adams emphasizes the pleasure of the creative process itself. His artistic practice is a testament to the enjoyment of experimentation, where he revels in unconventional materials and processes. He doesn't shy away from calculated risk-taking, and this adventurous spirit fuels his artistic fire.

In Ken Adams' ceramic realm, the final works are akin to submerged treasures, reminiscent of underwater creatures, urchins, and coral—a fusion of stillness and living artistry. Each piece is a testament to the boundless imagination and fearless innovation that define Ken's artistic journey, inviting us to explore the mesmerising depths of his creative ocean.