Ceramist Kouichi Uchida was born in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. After graduating from Aichi Prefectural Seto Pottery Senior High School, he embarked on a journey of visiting many potteries across the world. Living and working in many places, he learned how to work in clay of each region through hands-on experience. In 1992, he set up his own kiln in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. Since then, He has enthusiastically held solo exhibitions at museums and galleries both inside and outside Japan. Besides pottery, he continuously strives to expand his artistic horizons by creating various art works, such as metal works and interior design. His wide-ranging works have been highly regarded in many quarters. In late November 2015, he established BANKO archive design museum in Yokkaichi. In its permanent and themed exhibitions, Uchida seeks to present the charm of local pottery, Banko ware, as art, crafts and design, from his unique perspective.
