Ukrainian ceramic artist hones her craft in JapanーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Mino Ware (Mino-yaki): A traditional Japanese ceramic style originating from Gifu Prefecture, known for its diverse glazes and techniques.
• Cultural Synthesis: The integration of traditional Japanese ceramic techniques with Ukrainian artistic themes and emotional narratives.
• Artistic Resilience: The process of using creative expression as a mechanism to process trauma, honor lost loved ones, and advocate for peace during wartime.
• Symbolism in Ceramics: The use of traditional motifs (e.g., guardian lions, samurai) to represent contemporary geopolitical struggles and personal grief.

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1. Yelli Zavveta Port Nova: Artistic Background and Displacement

Yelli Zavveta Port Nova, an artist from Kyiv, Ukraine, has established a significant presence in the Japanese ceramic scene. With over 20 years of experience, her work often features organic, life-like forms and the incorporation of pottery fragments. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Port Nova evacuated to France, where she faced significant professional instability due to the lack of a permanent studio. Her relocation to Gifu, Japan—a major hub for ceramic production—provided her with the stability required to resume her practice. She notes that her time in Gifu has been the most productive period since the onset of the war.

2. The Intersection of Japanese Tradition and Ukrainian Narrative

Port Nova’s work serves as a bridge between her heritage and her host culture. Key pieces featured in her Gifu exhibition include:

• Guardian Lion Dog (Komainu): A reinterpretation of the stone statues found at Japanese shrine gates. Port Nova utilizes this form to symbolize courage and tradition, incorporating floral motifs to represent the concept of change over time.
• The "Samurai" Amulet: A piece modeled after a Japanese samurai holding a sword. This work serves as an amulet intended to protect the lives of those in Ukraine. The piece incorporates a cup provided by her friend, "Mamay," who is currently fighting in the conflict.

3. Personal Loss and Artistic Motivation

The emotional core of Port Nova’s recent work is deeply tied to the human cost of the war. She highlights the story of her close friend, Anton Houdin, a talented artist and restorer of Ukrainian cultural assets (mosaics and paintings). After joining the National Guard, Houdin went missing in battle and is presumed dead.

Port Nova describes the profound difficulty of continuing her work while grieving. She recalls receiving the news of Houdin’s death while in Japan, yet choosing to proceed with a photo session for her work the following day as a way to honor his legacy and introduce Ukrainian culture to a global audience. She states: "I couldn't accept that he would no longer be creating art. I hoped that somehow he's still alive."

4. Technical Methodology: Blending Techniques

Port Nova’s work in Gifu is characterized by a deliberate fusion of styles:

• Mino Ware Techniques: She has adopted specific glazing and application methods characteristic of Mino-yaki, such as the application of intricate flower patterns.
• Symbolic Synthesis: By combining the Japanese samurai archetype—representing strength and the protection of life—with Ukrainian cultural elements, she creates a visual language that resonates with the current struggle for survival in her home country.

5. Synthesis and Future Outlook

Port Nova views her art as a vital tool for social and personal transformation. Her primary objective is to use her craft to advocate for the restoration of peace and the return to daily life for the people of Ukraine.

Key Takeaways:

• Art as Advocacy: Port Nova’s work transcends aesthetics, functioning as a medium for political and emotional commentary on the war.
• Resilience through Craft: The artist emphasizes that "caring about and loving others as well as creating things are essential for people to have happy lives."
• Global Integration: Having mastered new techniques in Japan, Port Nova plans to return to France, carrying the influence of Japanese ceramic traditions to further her artistic evolution and continue her mission of changing lives through art.