Keisuke Iwata | Studio Visit

Harbour of Fukutsu, Fukuoka Japan outside Keisuke Iwata's house

In the quaint fisherman town of Fukutsu, Japan, nestled along the shoreline of the Sea of Japan, we had the rare opportunity to visit the home studio of the celebrated ceramic artist Keisuke Iwata alongside his wife, the assemblage artist Michiko Iwata. Keisuke Iwata’s studio isn’t just a workspace—it’s a reflection of his essence, his memories, and his dedication to craftsmanship. Walking into his studio feels like stepping into the mind of a true artist, a place where time seems to linger, with each object imbued with purpose and history.

View of Fukutsu shoreline from Keisuke Iwata's home studio

Gallery space at Keisuke and Michiko Iwata's home

Shelves of personal antiques and objects at Keisuke Iwata's home

There’s something intimate about witnessing an artist’s personal environment, and Iwata-san’s studio is no exception. His work feels ancient, imbued with the patina of time—and after spending time in his space, I see why. His home is filled with beautifully aged objects that seem to have lived many lives. It’s as if Iwata-san not only makes objects of antiquity but lives with them too.

Keisuke Iwata's sketchbook with handwritten notes and sketches about ceramics

Tools for making ceramics at Keisuke Iwata's studio

Everywhere you look, there’s evidence of years of devotion: tacked-up papers filled with notes and ideas, memo boards cluttered with thoughts in progress, and tools worn down from years of use. Each mark on his tools tells a story, much like the pieces he creates.

Mix of Michiko Iwata and Keisuke Iwata's works in their small home studio

Keisuke in contemplation during our interview and studio visit

In Keisuke Iwata, there’s a quiet strength, deeply felt. Recently recovering from illness, his presence carries a sense of resilience, a life lived in rhythm with nature and art. The visit to his studio now feels particularly special, knowing the recent trials he’s endured, yet seeing how the beauty of his work remains unchanged. His attitude, much like his work, feels free and unforced, an effortless surrender to the creative process. It’s not about control for him, but about letting things be.

Pouring and serving tea from Keisuke Iwata's teapot and teacups

Top view of Keisuke Iwata's white/beige teapot and four ceramic teacups

As we sat in his home, Iwata-san welcomed us with warm tea served in his own teapot and teacup, each pour mesmerizingly graceful despite the chunkiness of the pot. Alongside the tea, we were treated to the most incredible grapes—large, crunchy, and so fresh they seemed to burst with flavor. There’s something poetic in the way these simple, yet carefully chosen offerings reflected his work: understated, yet absolutely striking once you experience them.

Keisuke Iwata's dish filled with seashells collected and a ceramic piece with seashell beside it

Small dog ceramic sculpture at Keisuke Iwata's studio made for a Factory Zoomer dog exhibition

Shards of sea shells collected lying in stacks trays at Keisuke Iwat's ceramic studio

It’s easy to see the imprint of Iwata-san’s surroundings in his work. His studio is spread with shells he’s collected from the shorelines, remnants of the nearby ocean that find their way into his pieces. One particularly beautiful detail that struck me was a seashell imprint hidden on the bottom of a recent piece we received from him. My first thought was, “Why would something so beautiful be placed where no one can see it?” But then I realized perhaps it’s meant to be a secret treasure, known only to the owner.

Ceramic chawans made by Keisuke Iwata lined up in a row

Keisuke Iwata holding an anagama woodfired vase picked up from the shelves covered with ceramics at his studio

The bottom of an anagama wood fired vase with Keisuke Iwata's signature on the under side

We also see some Anagama pieces, the central focus of the exhibition, that he fires just once a year every November, and small rows of tableware that are fired in his small home studio kiln.

Ceramic black and beige/white teapots from top view resting on an old wooden plank after just being fired

Keisuke Iwata in his ceramics studio building a teapot

Keisuke Iwata in his ceramics studio building a teapot close up

As we now prepare for our upcoming exhibition, Earth and Ember, with new pieces arriving from Iwata-san’s studio in small, sporadic shipments, the weight of this moment grows. Not only is it a rare opportunity to showcase Iwata-san’s stunning new works, but also a rare opportunity for people to meet him in person. His quiet humility, combined with his enduring strength, will surely leave an imprint on those fortunate enough to encounter him in New York.

View of Keisuke and Michiko iwata's home through a window from their small gallery space

Our time in Keisuke Iwata’s studio offered a glimpse into the beauty of surrender—to time, to nature, and to the unpredictability of creation. A visit as rare as this leaves us with a deep appreciation for the patience and resilience behind his work, which we look forward to sharing in our upcoming exhibition.

Written by Angélique Chmielewski

Angélique Chmielewski