Ikeda Yoshiro
United States of America (USA), 1947 - 2014
In 1978-2011, Ikeda taught at the Kansas State University, advancing from assistant professor to the title of distinguished professor. Ikeda left a great legacy as an educator. Of the forty of his MFA students, thirty-eight became practicing ceramic artists. In 2010 he received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.
Artist's statement: Throughout my artistic career, I have drawn inspiration and ideas from my surroundings and experiences. My works have reflected the organic aspects of nature, the everchanging weather, and the art of dancing. Form and surface are woven together, creating an endless line of movement. This carries the eye of the viewer, and continually provokes curiosity. In the past years, the main body of my work has been hand-built, though I continue to wheel throw and incorporate wheel thrown elements in my forms. Hand-building gives a sense of freedom and possibility. The asymmetrical aspect brings with it the eternal challenge: balance, harmony, beauty.
A student's memoir: Yoshi liked hard workers more than someone with raw talent and skill. He had a great ability to see that early on in students. If you had talent and were lazy he never pushed you because you were going to do anything. If you sucked and worked real hard he’d push. Yoshi said you can teach how to throw, but not a work ethic. - by Cindy Bracker, Ikeda's student
Person TypeIndividual
United States of America (USA), 1906 - 1975
