It was only a coincidence that led Oya to ceramics. During his time at school in Japan, he wanted to attend the woodworking class. But the teacher retired and his successor taught ceramics instead. This is how he found the passion that still inspires him today. In his studio – a former bakery – Oya starts with a blank canvas of white clay and moulds the soft material by hand on his potter’s wheel. He tries to create an even glaze, but every now and then a few drops of glaze splatter onto the surface, which leads to beautiful accidents. His glazes are not the usual kind you might see in stores – they are bold, vibrant and graphic. In his pieces Oya combines the best of two worlds: Japanese artisanship and Swedish design.
© Courtesy of the artist
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
There is a large city with a local feeling on the west coast of Sweden, called Gothenburg. This is where Studio Oyama is located. I live in Gothenburg and work here. My studio was formerly an old bakery, so now I bake ceramics here instead of bread.
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
I go to the cottage surrounded by woods in Värmland. There I enjoy making a fire, swimming in the lake, and picking different berries or mushrooms in the summer or autumn. It’s relaxing to be in nature and I enjoy it.
Otherwise, I like to go to the west coast of Gothenburg and look at the ocean, or sometimes swim as well.
In the city of Gothenburg, there is a small neighborhood called Majorna. Old landscapes and atmospheres still exist there. I enjoy eating there and chatting with my friends, who are also artists, and talking about our current works and future projects, etc.
© Steampipe Production Studio
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
I am from Japan and live in Sweden. Crafts have a very high status in Japan, and art has a very high status in Sweden. So it was kind of hard to make a living through crafts in Gothenburg when I first moved here. I got the impression that people here didn’t consider crafts to be art. For example when I make cups: For me cups and other objects are art, so I call them applied art. However, things are changing a lot nowadays – people in Sweden have started to appreciate crafts more and more over time.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years – and what has not?
Social networks have helped me greatly in spreading awareness of my works. Unfortunately, many companies also found my works there too. And they are now copying my designs without permission. You can see similar works of mine being produced nearly everywhere. These companies are claiming association with vague design groups, and claiming inspiration. While inspiration is acceptable, outright copying without credit is not. As an independent artist, protecting my intellectual property is important for maintaining my livelihood. In the future, I hope companies will respect creators more by properly attributing influences rather than passing them off as their own original ideas.
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers – whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
Rörstrand was a very large ceramic manufacturer in Sweden. They no longer exist, but parts of the Rörstrand operations continue under the name Porslinsfabriken. It still operates out of the original facilities and continues the tradition of crafting high-quality ceramics by hand in Sweden. Kosta Boda is also a great glass manufacturer in Sweden.
© Porslinsfabriken
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s largest port cities and a hub for international trade. This environment makes it easy to incorporate new ideas and cultures from abroad. It has well-developed art education institutions like art universities, and an active artist community. This feels like a fertile ground for new forms of expression to emerge.
Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?
Bizen sushi restaurant has good prices and an authentic Japanese sushi chef. The quality and taste of the sushi is excellent for the price. However, I think the chef is too shy, which prevents the restaurant from becoming better known.
Another good sushi restaurant is Hoze sushi, whose sushi is very famous in Gothenburg. The chef’s skills are remarkable, but since he works alone, the restaurant can only accommodate a limited number of guests. Reservations are recommended if you want to enjoy his sushi.
A newer restaurant is Robb pizza. They make high-quality pizza, though many people may still be unaware of them since they only recently opened. As the restaurant gains more recognition over time, I’m sure they will become popular for their pizzas.
© Hoze Sushi
Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?
There are two shops/galleries for arts and crafts, which are run by the artists themselves. They are called Lerverk and Sintra.
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
– Nikkei (Japanese newspaper)
– Instagram
– Line (Japanese app)
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
Nikkei Shimbun is a Japanese economic newspaper. It’s interesting to read about society from an economic perspective.
Imagine you could be mayor for a year – what would you change?
It’s a very difficult question. The tax for manufacturing and handcraft is the same in this city/country, which I find very strange. Additionally, the rent for the place is very expensive here. I want to start a publicly owned collective workspace for artists.
© Steampipe Production Studio
One last question: If you could choose another place to live – regardless of financial or time constrains – which one would you choose?
I want to live in both Japan and Sweden. After living in these two countries, I have come to the realisation that there are no perfect countries – each has its good and bad sides. However, my preference is to live in the countryside – close to nature – where I can enjoy a slower pace of life.
© Courtesy of the artist
