Kensuke Yamada (b. Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan) received his MFA from the University of Montana in 2009 and has a BA from The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington. He has participated in artist residency programs at The Archie Bray Foundation, The clay studio Philadelphia,Tyler School of Art, and Cheekwood, and his sculptures have been exhibited nationally and internationally. He is currently teaching at University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
C V
Solo & Two-Person Exhibitions
2022 | Kensuke Yamada | Duane Reed Gallery | St. Louis, MO
2022 | As You are I was, As I am You will Be | Blue Spiral Gallery |Asheville, NC
2021 | Ron Johnson & Kensuke Yamada | Duane Reed Gallery | ST Louis, MO
2021 | Ramune Candy Roll| Windgate Museum of Art | Hendrix College | Conway, AR
2020 | Collectively Alone: Works by Benjamin Krain and Kensuke Yamada | Historic
Arkansas Museum | Little Rock, AR
2020 | Featured Artist Exhibit | Red Lodge Clay Center | Red Lodge, MT
2019 | "The fine art of Kensuke Yamada and Ricky Sikes | Boswell Mourot Fine Art | Little Rock, AR
2018 | Red Lodge Clay Center | Beth Lo and Kensuke Yamada | Red Lodge, MT
2017 | “Diving in the Pool” | Centre College Aegon Gallery | Danville, KY
2016 | “Diving Through the Cloud” | Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art | Nashville, TN
2016 | “Conversation Unspoken” | Kensuke Yamada/Leigh Suggs, Penland School of and Craft
| Penland, NC
2015 | “Reliance” | George Caleb Bingham Gallery, University of Missouri | Columbia, MO
2015 | “Rhythm-Color” | Patricia Rovzar Gallery | Seattle, WA
2015 | “Wind Bears Color to bring Charm” | NEVICA PROJECT | Chicago, IL
2010 | “I and Love and You” | Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
2009 | “Empathetic”, MFA Thesis Exhibition | Gallery of Visual Arts University of Montana | Missoula, MT
2008 | “Reconfiguration” | University Center Gallery University of Montana | Missoula, MT
2008 | “Free Bird” | Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
2007 | “Yamadaville” | Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
2007 | “Erica Harris and Kensuke Yamada” | Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
2006 | “Dwell” | Colleen Hayward and Kensuke Yamada | Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
2006 | “Hortus Ortus” | Davis Freeman and Kensuke Yamada | Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
Selected group exhibition
2023 | Ceramics Invitational | Blue Spiral Gallery | Ashville, NC
2023 | 30 Ceramics Sculptors | John Natsoulas Gallery | Davis, CA
2023 | Figuring Space | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2023 | Go Figure 2.0 | Blue Spiral Gallery | Ashville, NC
2022 | CELEBRATING 50 YEARS BUILDING THE FUTURE OF OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY
| Provincetown Art Association and Museum | Provincetown, MA
2022 | September Exhibit | Sager Reeves Gallery | Columbia, MO
2021 | 29th Annual Group Exhibition | Patricia Rovar Gallery | Seattle, WA
2021 | The Joy of a Different World | Verduyn Gallery | Wortegem – Petegem, Belgium
2021 | Yunomi Invitational | Clay Akar | Iowa City, IA
2021 | Figure it Out | Patria Rovar Gallery | Seattle, WA
2021 | Small Favor | The Clay Studio Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
2020 | The Cup Show | Worcester Center for Crafts | Worcester, MA
2020 | Futured Artist Exhibition | Redlodge Clay Center| Redlodge, MT
2020 | Small Works | Sager Braudis Gallery | Colombia, MO
2020 | Yunomi Invitational 2020 | Clay Akar |Iowa City IA
2020 | The Ceramics Invitational | Radius Gallery |Missoula, MT
2020 | Small Favor | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2020 | Fired Up in the Natural State: Contemporary Ceramics | Baum Gallery The University of Central
Arkansas | Conway, AR
2020 | Northwest Designer Craftsman Exhibit and Symposium | Schuck Art Center |Seattle, WA
2019 | " (Un)common" Ground | Blue Spiral Gallery | Asheville, NC
2019 | Reflective | Imprint Gallery | Cannon Beach, OR
2019 | About Face | Mongomery Museum of Fine Arts | Montgomery, AL
2019 | You am I | Veronique Wantz Gallery | Minneapolis, MN
2019 | Small Favors | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2019 | Chinese New Year Banquet | Clay Art Center | Port Chester, NY
2019 | Red Lodge Gallery, NCECA EXPO
2018 | Ceramics Invitational | Blue Spiral 1 | Asheville, NC
2018 | Concurrent/conventions, A spectrum of Contemporary Ceramics, California State University
| Sacramento, CA
2018 | Small Favor | The Clay Studio Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
2018 | Carrie Furnace Exhibition at NCECA, Carrie Furnace | Pittsburg, PA
2018 | The Nevica Project & Cerbera Gallery in conjunction with NCECA Present 10 | Pittsburg, PA
2018 | Taste of Touchstone | Saville Gallery | Farmington, PA
2017 | 25th Annual Celebrate Art | Patricia Rovzar Gallery | Seattle, WA
2017 | Bottoms Up | Santa Fe Clay | Santa Fe, NM
2017 | State of the Art 2017 | National Biennial Invitational | Giertz Gallery | Champaign, IL
2017 | Ceramic Scullpture Culture | James May Gallery |Milwaukee, WI
2017 | REDUX: Transformations 6x6 | Clay Art Center | Port Chester, NY
2017 | Summer Exhibit | Sager Braudis Gallery | Columbia, MO
2017 | REVISIT: the Boneyard | Clay Art Center | Port Chester, NY
2017 | Ceramics Sculpture Culture | Baltimore Clayworks | Baltimore, MD
2017 | Lillstreet Gallery NCECA Expo
2017 | La Mesa NCECA | With Santa Fe Clay
2017 | Small Favors XI | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2016 | Epics, Myths and Fables Ceramics invitational | Meyer Gallery | Park City, UT
2016 | Small Scale Lilstreet Art Center | Chicago, IL
2016 | The Figure in Clay | Santa Fe Clay | Santa Fe, NM
2016 | Penland School of Crafts Series | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC
2015 | Group Anniversary exhibition | Patricia Rovzar Gallery | Seattle, WA
2015 | 40th Annual Show and Sale | LillStreet Art Center | Chicago, WA
2015 | Small Ones | Cinema Gallery | Urbana, IL
2015 | Clay Studio Benefit Auction | The Clay Studio Missoula| Missoula, MT
2015 | La Mesa | NCECA
2015 | UALR Permanent Collection| University of Arkansas | Little Rock, AR
2015 | Small Favors| The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2014 | Let there Be Light! LillStreet Art Center | Chicago, IL
2014 | Poking the Lilies Pad| Asia Institute| Inc. DBA Asia Institute- Crane house | Louisville, KY
2014 | Emerged: After the Residency| Lillstreet Art Center| Chicago, IL
2014 | La Mesa| NCECA| Santa Fe Clay
2014 | Primary Clay| University of Arkansas Little Rock, Little Rock, AR
2013 | 21st Anniversary Exhibition| Patricia Rovzar Gallery| Seattle, WA
2013 | Let There Be Light! LillStreet Art Center | Chicago, IL
2013 | 28th Annual Benefit Auction| Penland School of Craft |Bakersville, NC
2013 | Figurative Invitational| Red Lodge Clay Center | Red Lodge, MT
2013 | La Mesa | NCECA | Santa Fe Clay
2013 | Then and Now Alumni Art Exhibition| South Puget Sound Community | Olympia, WA
2013 | Small Favors VIII| The Clay Studio Philadelphia |Philadelphia, PA
2013 | Our Community| Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2012 | Forecast| A New Wave of Creative Talent| Penland School of Craft | Bakersville, PA
2012 | Holter Museum of Art Auction Exhibition| Holter Museum of Art| Helena, MT
2012 | 23rd annual 30 Ceramic Sculptors | John Natsoulas Gallery | Davis CA
2012 | Self Contained| Northern Clay Center | Minneapolis, MN
2012 | Figurative Work in Clay| Grover Thurston Gallery | Seattle, WA
2012 | Figure/Figurine| The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2012 | Small Favors VII| The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2012 | Ceram-a-rama-yaki| ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center | Tempe, AZ
2011 | Naughty and Nice| Lillstreet Art Center | Chicago, IL
2011 | Composing the Modern| Lilstreet Art Center | Chicago, IL
2011 | 60 Artist, 60 Artwork, 60 Years: Celebrating the Archie Bray Foundation | Montana Museum of Art
and Culture | Missoula, MT
2011 | Contemporary Figurative Ceramics| The Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture | Bozeman, MT
2011 | Big Clay| Holter Museum of Art | Missoula, MT
2011 | Figurines| Santa Fe Clay | Santa Fe, NM
2011 | Archie Bray at NCECA
2010 | SOFA Chicago with the Archie Bray Foundation
2010 | Positioning the Figure| Signature Gallery | Atlanta, GA
2010 | Resident Exhibition| Archie Bray Foundation | Helena, MT
2009 | Fellowship Exhibition| Archie Bray Foundation | Helena, MT
2009 | Artist Trust Annual Auction| Seattle Center | Seattle, WA
2009 | Resident Exhibition| Archie Bray Foundation | Helena, MT
2009 | Celebration of Missoula Artists| Dana Gallery | Missoula, MT
2009 | That Difference| Clay Studio of Missoula | Missoula, MT
2009 | The Art of Living Exhibition and Auction| The Evergreen State College | Olympia, WA
2009 | 13th Annual Bray Benefit Auction and Exhibition | Archie Bray Foundation | Helena MT
2009 | Missoula Art Museum 37th Auction and Exhibition | Missoula, MT
2009 | Gallery All-Stars | Santa Fe Clay | Santa Fe, NM
2009 | Archie Bray Foundation at NCECA
2009 | University of MT and MT State University| Archie Bray Foundation | Helena, MT
2008 | SOFA Chicago with Santa Fe Clay
2008 | Montana Ceramics| University Center Gallery | Missoula MT
2008 | Residents Summer Exhibition| Archie Bray Foundation | Helena, MT
2008 | East by Northwest| Kolva Sullivan Gallery | Spokane, MT
2008 | Go Figure| Gulf Coast Community College | Panama City, FL
2008 | Artist Trust Annual Auction| Seattle Center | Seattle, WA
2007 | The People| Clay Studio Missoula | Missoula, MT
2007 | Body Image| Seattle Art Museum Gallery Art sales and Retail | Seattle, WA
2006 | Catherine Person Gallery| Seattle Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery | Settle, WA
2006 | At Once| Catherine Person Gallery | Seattle, WA
2006 | NCECA, Regional Student Juried Exhibition | Northview Gallery | Portland College
Education
Master of Fine Arts: Studio Art | The University of Montana, Missoula, MT | 2009
Bachelor of Arts: Studio Art | The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA | 2005
Teaching Appointments
Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas Little Rock, Little Rock, AR (2019 - Pr)
Lecture Faculty, University of Arkansas Little Rock, Little Rock, AR (2018)
Visiting Assistant Professor, Centre College, Danville, KY (2016– 2018)
Visiting Artist/Ceramics Studio Technician/ Lecture faculty member, the University of Arkansas (2013 – 2016)
Visiting Artist/ adjunct faculty | Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia PA (2012 – 2013)
Juror and other service
Panel Judge | Arkansas Art Council Individual Artist Fellowship Panel Review (2023)
Curator | ORIGIN | Baltimore Clayworks | Baltimore, MD (2023)
Juror | Small Favor | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA (2021)
NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Peer Panel (2021)
NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Peer Panel (2020)
NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) Peer Panel (2019)
Juror | Small and Mighty | Clay Studio Missoula (February 2019)
Juror | Horizon Contemporary Landscape (September 2018)
Awards & Fellowships
2021 | Arkansas Art Council Individual Artist Fellowship Award
2016 | Martin Shallenberger Fellow| Cheekwood | Nashville, TN
2012 | Ceramic Monthly Emerging Artist 2012 | Ceramic Monthly | April
2010 | Archie Bray Foundation for the ceramic arts| Long term resident MJD Fellowship
2010 | Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts | Summer Fellowship
2009 | Bertha Morton Scholarship Recipient | University of Montana| Missoula, MT
Lectures & Demonstrations
2023 | Ohio University | Athens, OH
2023 | Baltimore Clayworks| Baltimore, MD
2023 | St. Louis Community College | Forest Park, MO
2023 | Go Figure | Arrowmont School of Arts and Craft | Gatlinburg TN
2023 | Go Figure | Truro Center for the Arts | Castle Hill, MA
2023 | Go Figure public workshop | Watershed Center for the Ceramics Arts | Edgecomb, ME
2023 | K12 Teacher workshop | Watershed Center for the Ceramics Arts | Edgecomb, ME
2023 | Figuring Space symposium | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2022 | University of Alaska | Anchorage, AK
2022| Blackberry Hill Art Center, Orford, NH
2022| Touchstone Center for Crafts | Farmington, PA
2021| Truro Center for The Arts At Castle Hill | Truro, MA
2021| Zoom Lecture / demo | John Natsoulas Gallery | Davis CA
2021| Zoom Lecture demo | University of Florida College of Arts | Gainesville, FL
2021| NCECA Demonstration Artist
2021 |Zoom Lecture | Clay Art Center | Port Chester | NY
2020 |Zoom Lecture | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia | PA
2020 |Zoom Lecture | Vista College | Austin | TX | Art Appreciation course
2020 |Zoom Lecture | West Virginia University |Morgantown | VA | Ceramics course
2020 | Northwest Designer Craftsman | Schuck Art Center | WA
2019 | Ball State University | Muncie IN
2019 | Santa Fe Clay | Santa Fe, NM
2019 | University of Georgia | Athen GA
2018 | Presenter, Figurative Association Symposium 2018 | Arrowmont School of Arts and
Crafts | Gatlinburg, TN
2018 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA
2018 | Red Lodge Clay Center | Red Lodge, MT
2018 | Touchstone Center for Crafts | Farmington, PA
2018 | Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR
2018 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL
2017 | Demonstration at the Standard Ceramics supply | Lodi, NJ
2017 | Penland School of Crafts Summer two-week session | Penland School of
Crafts| Penland, NC
2017 | West Virginia University | Morgantown, WV
2016 | Lillstreet Art Center | Chicago, IL
2016 | George Fox University | Newberg, OR
2016 | Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art | Nashville, TN
2016 | University of Louisville | Louisville, KY
2016 | Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge, LA
2015 | University of Missouri | Colombia| MO
2015 | Pottery Northwest | Seattle, WA
2015 | Oxbow | Saugatuck, MI
2015 | Santa Fe Clay | Santa Fe, NM
2015 | Idyllwild Arts Academy | Idyllwild, CA
2014 | Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts | Gatlinburg, TN
2014 | Clay Art Center | Port Chester, NY
2014 | University of Arkansas, Little Rock | Little Rock, AR
2013 | Penland School of Crafts | Penland, NC
2013 | Austin Museum of Art | Austin, TX
2013 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA
2013 | Buffalo State College | Buffalo, NY
2013 | Herron School of Art & Design | Indianapolis, IN
2012 | Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell, PA
2012 | Hand-building Personal Narratives | The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
2012 | 23rd Annual California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art | Davis, CA
2011 | Herron School of Art and Design | Indianapolis, IN
2011 | University of Texas | San Antonio, TX
2011 | Alamo College | San Antonio, TX
2010 | Chico State University | Chico, CA
2010 | Diablo Valley College | Berkeley, CA Performance on Online Assessments
Publications
2023 | Kensuke Yamada | John Natsoulas Press
2022 | Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic
Artists
2021 | Ceramic Monthly, “Exposure” section
2018 | Sunshine Cobb, Mastering Hand Building: Techniques, Tips and Tricks for slabs, coils, and more
2016 | Brook Griffith, Nashville Arts, “ARTSMART”
2015 | Ceramic Monthly, “Exposure” section
2014 | Larks 500 Figures in Clay Volume 2, published by Lark Crafts | juried by Nan Smith
2012 | Kelly Connell, “Self-Contain” Exhibition Catalogue with essays
2012 | Edith Garcia, “Ceramics and The Human Figure 2012” | A&C Black Publication, UK
2012 | Jennifer Harnetty, “Ceramic Monthly Emerging Artist 2012” | Ceramic Monthly, April
2011 | “Ones to Watch, Spotlighting sculptor Kensuke Yamada” | Western Art & Architecture
2011 | Donahoe Emily, “Archie Bray Foundation 60th Anniversary Exhibitions” | Ceramics Monthly
2011 | Beason, Tyrone, “The Things We Can’t Let Go” | The Seattle Times, August 6
2011 | Lovelace, Joy, “Archie Bray, Tradition Means Innovation” | American Craft Magazine, June
2011 | "From the Center to the Edge, The Archie Bray turns 60” | Cover Image, Ceramics Monthly, April
2010 | Nayoung Kwon, “Ceramic Artist Showcases a Playful Side” | International Examiner, June 3rd
2010 | Carmen Ebert and Rose Stepanek, “MFA Art Exhibit” | Vimeo.com, Jun 2
2008 | Gayle Clemans, “Dark and Sweet Fables for a Modern Age” | Seattle Times | August 8
2007 | Mathew Kangas, "Yamadaville" | Ceramics Monthly, March
2007 | Nancy Guppy, “Gallery Hop” | Seattle Channel, Seattle, WA
2006 | “Yamada's Ceramic Sculptures Exude Just the Right Touch of Sweetness” Seattle Post
Intelligencer
Residencies
2022 | Pentaculum | Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts | Gatlinburg, TN
2016 | Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art | Nashville, TN
2015 | Pentaculum | Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts | Gatlinburg, TN
2013 – 2016 | Visiting Artist/Ceramics Studio technician/Instructor | University of Arkansas
| Fayetteville, AR
2012 | Artist in Residence| The Clay Studio Philadelphia| Philadelphia, PA
2011 | Visiting Artist in Residence| Tyler School of Art| Short Term Scholar | Temple University
| Philadelphia, PA
2010 | Long Term Resident Artist | Archie Bray Foundation| Helena, MT
2010 | Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts: Artists Invite Artists Series
| Newcastle,ME
2009 | Summer Artist in Residence | Oregon College of Art and Craft| Portland, OR
2008 | Summer Resident| Archie Bray Foundation| Helena, MT
2008 | Visiting Artist | Chihuly Inc. Seattle, WA
Permanent Collection
Louisiana State University Museum of Art | Baton Rouge | LA
Mint Museum | Charlotte | North Carolina
University of Arkansas Little Rock Art Gallery | Little Rock, AR
The Clay Studio Philadelphia | Philadelphia, PA
Missoula Art Museum | Missoula, MT
Safeco Insurance | Seattle, WA
Bellevue Club | Seattle, WA
Archie Bray Foundation| Helena, MT
