Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Biography
Since the 15th century, JoanTakayama-Ogawa’s family has been creating ceramics in Tokoname, Japan. Her father studied ceramics with Glenn Lukens, while enrolled in USC’s School of Architecture. She studied with Otis artist, Ralph Bacerra. Despite her historically significant lineage, Takayama-Ogawa’s technically diverse ceramics blend unexpected methods to create contemporary environmental, social, and political commentary. She sees beauty held in check with playfulness and appreciation for the absurd. She pushes students beyond traditional boundaries by integrating clay with digital and rapid prototyping technologies. She was honored as Otis Teacher of the Year/ Commencement Speaker, and Crossroads School “Teacher of the Year.” She served as a Pasadena Design Commissioner, the Board of Directors for American Museum of Ceramic Art and received a Center of Cultural Innovation Investing in Artist Equipment Grant.
August 2021