Saucer with two hares and the moon in relief c. 2002

This is Masato Imaizumi’s ‘Saucer with two hares and the moon in relief’, a subtle ceramic piece. Can't you just imagine Masato Imaizumi coaxing this delicate form from a lump of clay? The piece is a symphony of curves, from the gentle bowl shape to the undulations around the rim of the saucer. The glaze is thin, almost translucent, letting the form breathe. Look closely and you'll see the two hares and the moon, raised in relief. It’s as if they’ve emerged from the clay itself, like a dream taking shape. The artist must have worked with incredible patience, feeling the clay yield to their touch. There's a whole history of ceramics, and it's so exciting to see artists play with form and surface, pushing the boundaries of what this old medium can do. We all just keep adding to the conversation, one cup at a time.