Potter’s profile ― Tanimoto Yoh

1958 - Born to Iga craftsman Tanimoto Kosei. Spent his early years surrounded by Iga pottery and later studied pottery-making techniques both in Iga and Kyoto.

1982 - After completing his studies at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Technical Institute he started exhibiting his works individually and as part of a group. 

1984 - Moved to Paris, France where he studied oil painting and design. He also worked as an assistant to the renowned Spanish artist and sculptor Joan Gardy Artigas.
Established a kiln on the outskirts of Paris and started producing ceramics.

1988 -Became independent, setting up his own kiln in Iga, Mie prefecture.

1992- Became a resident at the Artigas Foundation outside Barcelona where he created and exhibited his pottery.

1995 - Set up a seminar under the sponsorship of the Catalan government, where he taught pottery techniques to Spanish craftsmen at the Artigas Foundation. He also held an exhibition of his work at the            same time . Has returned to Barcelona every year since to produce new works.
1999 - Held an exhibiton of his work in London, UK.

2002 - To commemorate his 20 years as a potter, he held a nationwide exhibition tour which visited many department stores in Japan.  

2003 - Revisited Barcelona to produce and exhibit pottery at the Artigas Foundation

2004 - Exhibited at "Gallery GEN" in New York.

2005 - Held an exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi department store, Tokyo.

2007-  Held exhibitions at Mitsukoshi department stores in Fukuoka, Niigata and Matsuyama.

2008 - Held an exhibition at Mitsukoshi department store in Nagoya and Nihonbashi, Tokyo.
            Visited Barcelona and gave a lecture at the Museum of Ceramics.
            Exhibited at the Artigas Foundation.

2010 - Held an exhibition in Paris.

Tanimoto Yoh is a unique potter with close links to European artists. He has exhibited widely both in Japan and abroad. He states that his aim is to be able to convey the beauty of the clay to those who hold his pieces, not just by looking, but also by feeling the gentle strength which is imbued within.