Yukiya Izumita is born in 1966 in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture in Northern Japan. After university he works in Tokyo for three years, before starting his real career under Gakuho Shimodake in Kokuji Ware in 1992. Later in 1995, he opens his studio in Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture, at the border of the Northern ceramic production area of Aomori. The same year his work meets acclaim when he is rewarded the Excellence price of the Nittshin Menbachi Exhibition. Izumita is the recipient of numerous distinctions, such as the Excellence Award of the 20th Biennale of Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition in 2009, and the Grand Prix at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition of 2000 and 2002.
The first impression that one has when seeing Izumita work is stupefaction. It is rare to see clay sharpened to the finest edges, ripped, twisted in impossible ways like a giant origami, creating forms of an exquisite beauty in a tranquile tension.
Based in the region of Tohoku, he lives and works in Kunohe-gun. Known for severe weather and strong natural environment, this seaside area is the perfect location for Izumita’s inspiration.