About

A tour of three artisan workshops at the Chocolate Factory in Hackney, guided by an expert from Homo Faber.

Hitomi Hosono, Akiko Hirai and Ikuko Iwamoto are Japanese-born ceramicists whose practices share a deep grounding in traditional craft while moving in different directions. Hitomi Hosono transforms botanical observation and porcelain precision into layered vessels. Akiko Hirai reworks East Asian jar forms through a raw tactile language that embraces imperfection and process. Ikuko Iwamoto pushes porcelain into organic, almost microscopic worlds through hand-built detail.

Together, their work shows how a shared cultural origin can be reimagined into three distinct languages using the same material. A rare opportunity to pull back the curtain on master craftsmanship and discover the techniques and thought processes of these inspirational ceramicists.

This two-hour tour includes approximately 5-10 minutes of walking between each workshop.