This study examines the historical transformation of material usage in ceramic art and its role in contemporary practice, emphasizing the impact of material on form, meaning, and expression. The research focuses on the unique technical and conceptual approaches of contemporary ceramic artists who combine ceramics with diverse materials such as metal, wood, glass, and stone. Within this context, the work of Takuro Kuwata is analyzed as a primary case study of non-ceramic material integration. The analysis demonstrates that Kuwata establishes a bridge between tradition and innovation by reinterpreting traditional Japanese techniques (such as ishihaze and kairagi) through a contemporary lens. Furthermore, it highlights how he pushes the boundaries of the discipline through his bold use of color and stones, thereby generating new meanings regarding the nature of the material. Ultimately, this study reveals that the incorporation of mixed materials in ceramic art offers a broader expressive range, facilitates the transcendence of traditional frameworks, and fosters the development of novel forms of expression, as exemplified by Kuwata’s oeuvre.
Keywords: Ceramic art, Mixed media, Contemporary art, Takuro Kuwata, Japanese ceramic tradition, Stone, Ceramic glaze