Vanity Fair hails her as a "Ceramicist Extraordinaire," and in this captivating feature documentary, we delve into the remarkable life and work of Akiko Hirai, one of the world's leading potters. Filmed at her London studio, the documentary provides an intimate look at the artistic process of this extraordinary talent.
With accolades from The New York Times and The Guardian, Akiko's work evokes a visceral reaction, each piece carrying marks and traces of past events, described by her as both "dirty" and "broken." Her unique approach to ceramics mirrors her own life journey, marked by challenges, changes, and a courageous pursuit of passion.
The film captures Akiko's reflections on her unconventional path to becoming a renowned ceramicist. Leaving a regular job in Japan in her mid-20s, she arrived in a foreign country with little language proficiency or financial stability. Undeterred, she volunteered at a homeless hostel for eight months before embarking on a complete career shift to ceramics at nearly 30 years old.
In her own words, "My pots display a lot of marks and traces of past events. To describe them in a conventional and very simplified way, they are 'dirty' and 'broken'." Akiko's life story, much like her art, is a narrative of overcoming obstacles, embracing the unconventional, and finding beauty in imperfection.
Goldmark Films, the four-time Royal Television Society Award-nominated independent filmmaking arm of the esteemed Goldmark Gallery, presents this feature documentary. With over 20 years of experience, Goldmark Films has produced 24 feature-length documentaries and more than 100 shorts, earning a global reputation for intimate and revealing interviews with leading artists, ceramicists, writers, and critics.
"Akiko Hirai: Mark of the Pot" is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the profound connection between an artist's life and their craft. Join us on a visual odyssey into the world of Akiko Hirai, where every mark tells a story, and every obstacle becomes a beautiful part of the journey.
