Penland Benefit Auction featured artists Hitomi and Takuro Shibata live and work in Seagrove, North Carolina, which is home to the largest community of potters in the U.S. Before they came to the States, they were based in Shigaraki, one of Japan’s oldest pottery villages.

They are both members of the International Academy of Ceramics. They have participated in dozens of group shows and taught numerous ceramics workshops, including at Anderson Ranch (CO) and Peters Valley (NJ).They are co-authors (with Matt Levy) of the book, Wild Clay: Creating Ceramics and Glazes from Natural and Found Resources.

Hitomi manages their pottery business, Studio Touya, where they make pottery and sculpture using local wild clays and firing in their wood kilns. Takuro is the director of Starworks Ceramics in Star, NC.

 The Whirlwind triptych featured in this year’s auction is a rare collaborative work. The shapes were inspired by the wind, but Takuro says the pieces also reflect their experience at Penland. “Instructors and students come to Penland, and it’s like a whirlwind that’s mixing ideas, mediums, knowledge, techniques, and personal and cultural backgrounds together and creating something meaningful and beautiful.”

This exciting Studio Touya triptych will be featured in the 39th Annual Penland Benefit Auction:

Hitomi Shibata and Takuro Shibata
Whirlwind
Woodfired North Carolina stoneware, slips, red iron oxide, clear glaze, wood ash
Largest: 14 x 20½ x 20½ inches

Video produced by Jeff Goodman using photographs and video supplied by the artists.