Noe Kuremoto’s modern ceramic artworks encounter ancient Japanese beliefs

The works of Japanese ceramic artist Noe Kuremoto lie succinctly at the juncture of childlike simplicity and contemporary sophistication. The Osaka-born designer, now based in London, crafts her sculptural art by hand, drawing inspiration from ancient Japanese figurines, conforming to the conventional Japanese belief that spirits can be encountered anywhere, especially in nature—for Kuremoto, the genuine essence of the cosmos can be found in the wild. The product designer’s work is a direct translation of her desire to form deeper connections in a world, which according to her, can often feel shallow. Kuremoto's signature piece is her interpretation of ancient talismans and figurines namely, Haniwa, Daruma, and Dogu—inviting the spirit of nature into people’s homes in the simplest forms possible. "I do not actually source inspiration first. Instead, I tend to think of a problem which already exists in the world and I ponder how I can offer my service or a solution, even if that is in my tiny way. I think about how I can bring light into the world through my work for example. It’s usually this process that becomes a story and then builds out into a collection," explains Kuremoto about the thought behind her collections. Kuremoto's ceramic artworks are currently on display at 'The Artisan Collab at 45 Park Lane', it will remain on showcase until November 5, 2023 celebrating master artisanship.

The Dogu Ladies vase collection by the Japanese designer is an ode to childbirth and motherhood. Dogu is a mysterious female figurine thought to have originated in Japan between 14,000 and 400 BC, and is widely considered to be a symbol of fertility, a guarantee of a healthy birth for the mother and infant, and hope for the continuance of life, owing to its large eyes, accentuated breasts, and wide hips. Kuremoto dedicates this ceramic art collection to women who desire to be mothers, but fear the loss of their careers, as well as those who face the hardships of infertility or face postpartum depression, and those who doubt their ability to be a good parent. “My Dogu Ladies is a salute to the strength of the 'career mother,' her resilience and determination, (a) recognition that what she does is without historical precedent. With no past to guide us, these vases are a talisman for the history we create ourselves,” says Kuremoto, elaborating on the collection's essence.

Project Haniwa is conceived from the ancient Japanese clay figurine of the same name—“They are the traditional clay figures buried with the dead during the Kofun period of Japan, with the belief the Haniwa would protect souls in the afterlife. My hope is that my Haniwa will protect our souls in this world,” explains the sculpture artist. This collection is dedicated to the people who are afraid to take a leap towards their dreams, a dream that got weighed down due to the burdens of life, mortgage, security, and comfort of a day job, and most importantly, the fear of failing. “I would tell myself, 'You have a mortgage, a family, a legitimate excuse, socially acceptable.' But my soul grew weaker and weaker, the more I didn’t demand the best from myself. I became my worst self, who could kill my own soul—this is how I came to make my Haniwa. I would like to share them with you. Especially you who are ready to take on your maximum challenge. Once you’ve longed for in your heart, longer than you care to admit,” she elaborates.

Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese talismans intended towards helping actualise a goal in life. “Daruma reminds us there is too much in the world for our eyes to grasp. We walk around, essentially blind to everything except that which we focus upon, what we aim our eyes at. It’s a clever coping mechanism built into our DNA, so we’re not overwhelmed. However, it comes at a cost,” shares Kuremoto, elucidating upon the meaning behind the Daruma dolls. The collection titled Daruma is dedicated to the people who have not reached where they want to be, who are afraid of where their journey will lead, who are sick of not taking a risk, who want to do more in life than just being okay, and those who demand a next step for themselves.

"It often takes me a while to reflect and realise the whole process of making a collection - a while after it has been completed in most cases. Usually a common issue that I encounter when making new works is the process of firing. Clay is a natural material and you have to work with the clay and not against it - you cannot force anything the clay and fire won’t do. But whilst this is a common frustration, it is an occupational hazard and part of the journey as a ceramist. You have to try and trust the process as hard as it can be at times," shares the ceramic artist. Kuremoto's ceramic artworks stand out as beacons of reflection and inspiration, in a world where blind consumerism frequently overshadows the profound. Through her sublime sculptures, the Japanese artist encourages everyone to walk the tightrope between the past and the present, between weakness and strength, towards embrace the immense potential each of us possesses.

Text by Ria Jha