About Kiana
I am an American artist from Kentucky, currently living abroad in Japan. I come from a large family where I always marched to the beat of my own drum. While all of my siblings were interested in sports, I have always been more interested in art. I went on to get my Bachelors degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Ceramics, May 2018, from Georgetown College. Shortly after graduating, I decided to move to Tahara, Japan to be an English teacher. I found a great opportunity to study Japanese pottery while living abroad through a local club at Takamatsu kiln and a pottery class held at the local library. I was embraced by the artist community in Japan and wanted to contribute as an artist. Thanks to the artist and mentors I have met, I could flourish to explore ceramics, sell works, and create my own brand.
Artist Statement
When I make art, I have always had a sense of curiosity and desire for learning new techniques or skills. Beginning to make ceramics sparked such joy for my wonder of what art could be. Over the years, through ceramics and living in Japan, my work has become an embodiment of my curiosities especially for art around the globe. I never want to replicate another culture's art, but learn the techniques they have perfected and then use that knowledge to make something new and of my own. My work is a love letter to other cultures' artwork, mainly Japanese ceramics. I am marrying the play of experimentation, with the strict rules of Japanese ceramic ware. Combining the skills I learned in America to the techniques I am currently learning in Japan has been challenging but rewarding.
Japan
Living abroad in Japan has been a life changing experience for me. I moved to Tahara, Japan in September of 2018. I didn’t know anyone, but was determined to step outside of my comfort zone. Very quickly I joined Takamatsu Pottery Club in Tahara and fell in love with the community of artists in Japan. Any spare chance I got I was there experimenting and trying new things. Once I became more comfortable, I joined the Pottery Class at the Tahara Library in May of 2021. In the summer of 2022, I taught “Pottery in English with Ms. Kiana” for Elementary, Junior High, and High School students. Over time, I had made so much work and had enough to start selling works. So, in December of 2022 I started selling my works at Company in Toyokawa, Japan. Then in May 0f 2023, I worked my very first event as a vendor at “Futatsu Domoe” at Company in Toyokawa. My time in Japan has changed me and my art in ways I never thought possible.