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Known primarily for his ceramic works, Ryoji Koie’s artistic output ranges from functional tea ceremony ceramics, purely sculptural pieces, happenings and performances, as well as calligraphy. The avant-garde potter’s constant experimentation across various media is testament to his ethos of innovation and rebellion in his art. Born in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, Koie began to produce ceramics in 1957 and later worked for a period as a researcher at the Tokoname Municipal Ceramics Research Institute in 1962. After establishing himself as a ceramic artist five years later, Koie went on to win multiple awards throughout his career, including the Japan Ceramic Society Prize in 1992, the Chunichi Cultural Award in 2005, and the Gold Prize for the Japan Society Award in 2008, amongst others. The international artist has travelled extensively, creating works outside of his home country in America, Britain, Italy, Mexico and South Korea, and has a long exhibition history including a solo exhibition in 1996, Ryoji Koie: From the Earth, to the Earth,at the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu, as well as exhibiting works in the Smithsonian Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Centre National de Georges Pompidou, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET), and the Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art.