Amaterasu (天照大神) - A solo Pottery Show by Yukari Iverson at Handworks Gallery

Handworks is pleased to present a solo show by potter Yukari Hazama Iverson. Titled Amaterasu, the show explores the Japanese legend of a goddess who took the form of a white wolf.

Her name, Amaterasu, is composed of the Japanese characters ama (天) for “heaven”, and terasu (照), “to shine”. Hence, “shining over heaven”. In Japanese mythology, this is the name of the sun goddess who rules over heaven. At one time, she had hidden in a cave, away from her brother, the storm god Susanoo. Yet, by way of sensual dances and laughter, the other gods succeeded to pull her out from her hiding place. She returned to the sky then, thus bringing light back into the world.

The legend of Amaterasu, as well as other Japanese myths and legends, tells stories of nature, land, and the seasons, which often symbolize our own human nature, ki (energy flow) and emotions. By invoking these images in my work, I want to express the warmth of everyday life, and nature’s love, which is always there by our side to comfort us. We are part of this nature, and so is pottery.

Amaterasu is a goddess who loves people, animals, flowers and nature, who saved the land from darkness. The goddess of the sun loves joy and happiness, and illuminates our lives with her light. Even during rainy days, the sun shines above the clouds.

Artist Bio

As an interpreter, Yukari made the journey to New Brunswick from Japan in 1995 to learn English. She graduated from the New Brunswick College of Art and Design in 2001 with an Advanced Study in Clay. Yukari delicately decorates her functional pieces in a tole-painting style with Japanese aesthetics.

Yukari credits her move to Canada with giving her a new perspective on her homeland, enabling her to see Japan's culture through fresh eyes rather than taking it for granted. This appreciation has lead to her work being influenced by Shinto, an ancient Japanese belief system practiced by her parents, which maintains deities are adherent in nature and forms. This respect for nature and positive energy makes Yukari's works a joy for both the artist and others. Yukari currently resides and works in Montreal.