Meet Shoshi Watanabe | Ceramics

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shoshi Watanabe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shoshi, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Ceramics is essentially rooted in materials found in the local region. This idea has been somewhat blurred by the development of international trade and globalization. However, it is still true that mines where we get our materials get depleted and the look of our clays, glazes that are made from those materials change. Thus what we make are a record of time and available resources as seen through the materials we use.

Recently, 2 major materials for ceramicists in the US has become depleted, and there has been a shift in material. Ceramics is a practice where I can experience a shift in time through making objects.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to keep things simple when I think about myself.

I make ceramics.

Through making ceramics, I met more people. I met good people.

In continuing making ceramics, I was asked to teach and work at universities and colleges.
I met more people.

I started to collaborate more, learning and thinking about things outside of ceramics.
I started to think more about food, sustainability, culture, community, and the importance for me to teach/learn.

And through thinking about other ideas through ceramics, I continue and have continued to make ceramics which reflect themes outside of ceramics.

At points of my life, there are moments of realization.
At this point of my life, I have realized that my journey making ceramics has gifted me with a wonderful community, which includes a wide and diverse group of friends, colleagues, and collaborators of all different cultures, ages, and professions.

My most recent and ongoing project, Zakka Bakka, is a space run with 2 other artists, Michael Dopp and Yosei Shibata.
This is our description of our space:

Zakka Bakka is an experimental retail store that operates as a gallery, workshop, and stage. Hosting events for musicians, chefs, wine makers, flower arrangers and others. In addition we display the works of a multitude of Los Angeles based artists. A celebratory but unceremonious piling up of objects and experiences. The space is Conceived of and run by Yosei Shibata, Michael Dopp, and Shoshi Watanabe.

We started out envisioning a retail space in Los Feliz as a platform of creativity, and also as a social space where creatives of all different fields can gather and get to know each other.
After many adaptations and iterations of events, we have grown into a community of interesting, bright people who make the space what it is. While I am deeply rooted to zakka Bakka as one of the members that run the space, I feel a good sense of detachment from it now. Detachment in the sense that I feel like there is less need to “direct”, where Zakka Bakka has become a community driven free forming and malleable idea of a creative space.

Moments like this give brings me excitement, where I feel my experience in the world expand through working in ceramics.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Lulu Restaurant at the Hammer Museum – a go to place for good, hearty meals with philosophy

Ati by Andrew Ponce – A go to for pop ups in the area, check out his instagram for updates

Bunkado – A family owned landmark in Little Tokyo, a nice blend of contemporary and historical objects

2220 Arts – For contemporary performances of all kinds

Harold and Belles – Old School Creole Food in LA

The Cozy Inn – Dive Bar in Culver City

Zakka Bakka – Im kinda self promoting my project space, but I do recommend it for local art objects and events. Open almost every Sundays

Go Go Bird – Its good.

Kinkan La – For upscale Thai, fusion cuisine. Chef Nan is the best

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank everyone who I’ve met and have made me the person who I am. And all the great meetings in the future yet to come.

Website: shoshiwatanabe.com

Instagram: @shoshiwatanabe

Youtube: /flappingdeer

Image Credits
profile image credit: Jason Rueger