Niisato Akio 新里 明士

Niisato Akio was born in Chiba, North of Tokyo in 1977.  After leaving the philosophy course of Waseda University (one of Japan’s premier universities), he graduated from the Tajimi City Pottery and Design Center in 2001.  He received the grand prize at the 3rd Paramita Museum Ceramic Competition in 2008.  He has participated in a number of group exhibitions as well as solo exhibitions, including at Keiko Gallery in America and in Italy.  He served as an Artist in Residence in the Harvard Ceramic Program from 2011-2012, receiving an MA there.  Work is held in the collection of the Paramita Museum in Mie and the Faenza International Ceramics Museum in Italy among others.  In 2020 he received the JCS (Japan Ceramic Society) award.