During a two-month international artist’s residency at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art in Japan (April-June 2025), Matthew created a new body of pots in the spirit of openness and acceptance: experimenting with local materials and searching for a rhythm between discovery and consistency.

Exploring a select palette of Mashiko materials and glazes, most pots were fired in the Museum’s single-chamber wood kiln using red pine for fuel. The pots were fired in such a way as to explore the subtle nuances in heat and atmosphere that occur in such a kiln. Matthew especially enjoyed working with the Kitagoya clay, testing to see how it could be used in ash glazes; some results becoming part of the final work.

Matthew became absorbed with ash-based glazes, glazes containing clay, and using slip over clay, aiming to work with the clay as deeply as he could so that its material and rhythm remained voiced and at the forefront of the making and firing process. This selected body of 80 pieces comprises a series of sculptural forms alongside more personal domestic items such as yunomi, bowls and beakers – all chosen for their truth to the experience of Mashiko.

During his time in Japan, Matthew worked with clay, photography and poetry, to explore the landscape as a material and a visual impetus for the materials, forms, and their decoration. He oscillated between playful periods of sculpture and sketching on the potter’s wheel, to more consistent small batch production – aiming to capture the spirit of the experience.

As part of the residency Matthew delivered a series of Museum and workshop talks, concluding with an exhibition of photographs, poems and pots at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art. Matthew says:

“My thoughts about the residency are of gratitude: to the people of Mashiko, the Council, the Museum and all its kind staff. And to the Leach Pottery for their support and the opportunity to share these pots. I tried to make pots with care, freedom, and reflection – I hope this comes through in them.”

Matthew is Curator & Deputy Director at the Leach Pottery, and completed a PhD with the Leach Pottery and Falmouth University in 2014, investigating digital craft and making Standard Ware in the 21st Century. He graduated from Cardiff in 2008 with an MA in Ceramics and continues his practice in Cornwall.

The exhibition runs in the Leach Pottery Shop Gallery.
All works for sale.

Free admission; open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm & Sunday, 11am - 4pm.

All images by Kei Murakoshi 2025