[East Vancouver basement]

In 1995, after absorbing the art of ceramics in Japan, I landed in Vancouver and transformed a humble East Vancouver basement, sublet by a young Emily Carr University instructor, into my first pottery studio. It started with just a kiln, a potter’s wheel, and a budget stretched thin by a $600 rent. Lacking resources, I relied on found materials and small gifts to build my tools. In those early days, clients were few. To make ends meet and promote my work, I grilled skewers at a local yakitori restaurant, using my own ceramics for serving as a form of promotion. I would envision clients that didn't yet exist, creating pieces for them into the night. Many of these early works were recycled, not turning out as planned, but each failure taught me something invaluable about freedom and creation.

As time passed, I connected with others who were young, ambitious, and strapped for cash. They dreamed of opening their own eateries, and I started crafting bespoke ceramics for these local startups. Watching my pieces come to life in restaurants and pubs was incredibly fulfilling—it fueled my passion and kept me motivated through tough times.

[The Circle]

The struggle to survive as an artist was real and relentless, but gradually, community support helped my work gain traction. I relocated the studio to a more accessible site. I received funding from Canada and invited international artists for collaborations in ceramics, painting, opera, and rock music. Ceramics also opened doors to designing interiors for restaurants and offices, expanding my creative influence.

Through all these endeavours, the principle of giving back to the community that uplifted me became central. I offered various art classes and contributed to community art projects, establishing a cycle of support that enabled me to thrive.

[The Communal Studio]

Twenty-seven years after acquiring my first kiln, my journey took a new turn. I set up a café-cum-art studio and an artist residency in Otaru, Japan, aiming to bridge my hometown in Hokkaido with the world through art. This development inspired a transformation of my Vancouver studio into a communal space shared among artists in their hearts. It's not just a studio; it's a movement to foster a grassroots art culture in Vancouver.

[Artists in their hearts]

What, then, is art? It's not merely a profession or a hobby—it's a calling that resonates deep within the souls of those who feel it. Our studio is now a collective of artists from incredibly diverse backgrounds—engineers, programmers, designers, bankers, and more. Each one brings their unique perspective, yet all share a common need for artistic expression.

Whether you work in an office or in painting, sculpting, or making ceramics, you can turn your time into art. If you think of your daily job as your own creation, then your work isn't just about making money—it's about spending your life in a meaningful way, creating art. Our studio serves as a gathering place for those who believe in the heart's capacity to create, where artists exchange ideas and inspire each other, fostering a grassroots culture that thrives on creativity.

Join us and experience how art as life can transform your daily existence.

HiDe