Clay & Me: Masatomo Toi

Masatomo Toi's art is deeply captivated by the softness and imperfection of clay as a material. At the core of his work lies an expression of the inner self and a cathartic process of deep introspection, realized through tactile engagement with the material and the creation of form. The softness, natural imperfection, and variability of clay embody the spirit of wabi-sabi-the philosophy that beauty resides in imperfection and the transience of all things.

The works in Clay & Me encapsulate Toi's visual and emotional experiences of living in Melbourne over the past twelve years. Emotionally, the city's culture and lifestyle have resonated profoundly with him, sparking personal transformation. Visually, Toi was inspired by the ageing architectural facades of Collingwood and Fitzroy, cultivating a renewed appreciation for the beauty found within modern urban environments.

Combining these Melbourne experiences with elements of his Japanese heritage, Toi draws on inspirations such as the tattered rags (boro) of Tōhoku, the tea bowls Bakōhan and Seppō, and the discarded waste of the Mino area. Through the layering and coordination of self, discarded materials, obsolescence, and the passage of time, a new sense of beauty emerges within the works.