“Perhaps science could explain but what’s beyond clarity inspires strong wonder. Where even is the clarity? My body’s experiences with gravity and centrifugal force liberated my mind. I found a place to exist and my imagination was provoked. Severe doubt and social criticism attempt to re-set these new values. I look at history to rediscover and to move forward.”
— Tetsuya Yamada

Artist bio:

Tetsuya Yamada was born in Tokyo. He received his MFA from Alfred University in 1997. Currently, he is a Professor in the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. He has participated in artist in residency programs including, Kohler Arts/Industry in 2002 and 2009, Fabric Workshop in Philadelphia in 2004, and at European Ceramic Work Center in Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, 2010. He is a recipient of 2001 Tiffany Award, 2005 McKnight Fellowship for ceramic artist as administered by The Northern Clay Center, 2014 and 2019 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Visual Artists as administered by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and Grand Prize (the highest prize among 25 prizes from 1,875 artists from 71 countries), at Gyeonggi International Ceramix Biennale 2011, South Korea.

Model: Skate Park I (2021) ceramic, 18 3⁄4”x 16 1⁄2”x 2”

Meritocracy and Independent (2021)
plywood, spray paint, skateboard wheel marks, 96”x 15 1⁄2”x 3⁄4” each

Ride Till Tomorrow (2021)
acrylic paint on masonite, 65”x 52 1⁄2”

Lounge (2021)
studio scrap wood, dimensions variable