[Square plate] c. 20th century

Uematsu Eiji, born in 1949, made this square plate out of stoneware. The clay was built into a simple geometric form, and then fired at a high temperature. This process vitrifies the clay, making it strong and non-porous. But it’s really the glaze that makes this plate so interesting. It’s uneven, with a kind of mottled effect, ranging from dark grey to silvery white. These variations weren’t accidental. Instead, they reflect the artist's control over the kiln environment and the way that the glaze interacts with the clay body during firing. Eiji's work is not just about function, but about the beauty of the material itself, and the way that the making process can reveal its inherent qualities. This approach challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft, and invites us to see the value in everyday objects.