Michiko Takahashi Nilsen

Born in Iwate/Japan

I studied ceramic in Tokyo and London, then I started my first studio in Skjervøy, in North Norway, where my husband is from. That was in 1993, quite a while ago..

We moved here, a tiny village called Svarstad, in 2002.

The place is sorrounded by forest and there´s the river called Lågen nearby, which is famous with wild salmon.

I love walking around the forest. 

It´s just like a treasure box to me. I pick berries, mushrooms and edible plants. It´s full of inspirations for my work, too.

Well, the main reason I return so often is for picking up wood for my wood-firing kiln. The forest is an industry forest, so there´s plenty of left over wood after the logging season. I cut, splitt and let them dry for 1-2 years.

It´s quite a bit of work (physicaly), but I can say I got caught of the fasination in clay and the natural glaze. 

It´s a simple process with simple materials in a way.

I make a form with clay, and fire it with wood from the nearby forest. The movement of ashes and flame create every pot as a unique piece.

It may be a slow tempo, but I like the way as it is.

The way fits with my environmental aspect, too.