About
Akico Hasumi was born in Osaka, Japan. Despite growing up in a traditional Japanese family in
Nara, she developed an intense interest in ceramic art at an early age. While In the Okinawa
Prefecture University of Arts Design, she was enrolled with scholarships into the U.K-Student
Study Aboard program, where she had received her first Master’s degree in art.Traveling through
Europe, she visited many art museums and had the chance to study Eastern and Western
Comparative Arts. During her time in Europe, Akico Hasumi rose into prominence as a ceramic
artist. Returning to her school in Okinawa, Japan, Akico received her second Master’s degree
from the Okinawa University of Arts.
Akico Hasumi studied comprehensively in Design, Paint, Dye, and pottery in Ceramic. Her artwork
blends western contemporary art into ancient Japan’s art, thus making it unique and truly one of
a kind. Solo exhibition of her artwork was held regularly in the Mitsukoshi Department store.
The oldest in Japan, the Mitsukoshi department store is one of the most prominent and presents
only the best products for the Japanese Nation.
The AkiArt Association was founded in the 1990s to help further establish Akico Hasumi as an
independent female ceramic artist. She incorporated Japanese cultural values into her Pottery
workshop, where she educated students. Exhibitions of her student’s artwork were held twice
a year in Tokyo. In further promotion of the “AkiArt brand,” events such as “Happy for people
Fukugi” were held at the Naha City Hall, where Naha City Mayor Mikiko Shiroma attended.
The events were well received in Okinawa by locals, and artists from different countries
could gather and inspire each other.
Akico was deeply inspired by the works of the great Japanese artist,
poet, and dietitian Kitaoji Rosanjin, a world-renowned ceramic artist
in the mid-Showa period. Many have tried to copy his work but only
met failure. Through hard work and perseverance, Akico Hasumi is
one of the very few who expressed the spirit of Rosanjin in her artwork.
In December 2019, she held a large exhibition in New York City,
which was widely acclaimed. Hopefully, when the COVID-19 pandemic
is over, she will be able to feature in more solo exhibitions worldwide
in 2022.
