TERUNOBU HIRATA • CERAMICIST
MELBOURNE • AUSTRALIA

Born in Osaka, Japan, Terunobu Hirata arrived in Australia in 1973 and is now based in Melbourne.

Originally trained as a chef, he moved to pottery 25 years ago, working in stoneware and porcelain.

His designs are bold and contemporary with lustrous glazes. A nod to the past with organic style glazing partnered with perfectly proportioned shapes, Hirata’s work is a joy to live with. 

Inspired by Bizen's features of simplicity, reflected in dark and subdued colours, he uses a dark body clay available in Australia. He applies a method of transferring the tracing of fire onto the face of pottery using ash and straw glazes, although glazes are not used in Bizen ware.

WORK @ DEA

We first discovered Terunobu several years ago at the famous Warrendyte Pottery Fair, and were immediately drawn to his elegant and masterful vessels. We were also thrilled to find a Japanese artist, trained in traditional techniques but making work here in Australia.

Initially only able to have his work in our own collection, we are now extremely pleased to include it in the permanent DEA offering.