Mariko Okubo is a ceramic artist based in Japan, known for creating quiet figurative sculptures that give form to unseen inner emotions and memories.
She began working with clay in Taipei in 2011 and, after returning to Japan in 2016, established her studio, “Green Time.” Since then, her work has been exhibited at museums, galleries, art fairs, and international ceramic symposiums in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, the United States, and Turkey.
Drawing from personal experiences, her sculptures explore universal themes of memory, love, and prayer, giving form to emotions that often remain unspoken.
In recent years, she has participated in international artist residencies at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts (USA), Clayarch Gimhae Museum (South Korea), and Taoxichuan Art Center (China), as well as international ceramic symposiums in several countries. Through encounters with different places, cultures, and people, her practice has expanded from exploring personal emotions toward creating connections with others through ceramic art.
Exhibitions and Workshops
2026
18th International Eskişehir Terra Cotta Symposium, Invited Artist, Turkey
Created and installed three figurative ceramic sculptures of children for public space.
2025
Changchun International Ceramics Symposium, China
Figurative Sculpture Workshop at Taoxichuan International Art Center, Jingdezhen, China
The First Guanyao Sanbao International Contemporary Works Invitational Exhibition, China
Taoxichuan Spring and Autumn Fair, Jingdezhen, China
Solo Exhibition at Kobe Hankyu Department Store, Japan
2024
Solo Exhibition at Daimaru Kyoto Dept Store, Japan
International Wood Kiln Workshops, Korea
”Korea-China-Japan Ceramic Exchange Exhibition” ClayArch Gimhae Museum, Korea
Spring Hyatt·Sanbao China-Japan-Korea Ceramics Exhibition
TAOXICHUAN Spring and Autumn Fair and Exhibition
"Ceramix KO&JACHI 2024" Jeju Island, Korea
2023
Ceramic Art Presentation Ceremony for the Alishan Forestry Railway of Taiwan and the Chiayi City Cultural Resources Management Bureau, Taiwan
The 61st Japan Contemporary Art and Crafts Exhibition at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Japan
2022
International Wood Kiln Workshops, Korea
The 9th The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition at The National Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Solo Exhibition "Green Time" at Daimaru Kyoto Dept Store, Japan
The 60th Japan Contemporary Art and Crafts Exhibition at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Japan
2021
The 8th The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition at The National Museum, Tokyo
Solo Exhibition "Green Time" at Daimaru Kyoto Dept Store, Japan
Changchun International Ceramics Symposium, China
2020
Nami International Ceramics Symposium, Korea
2019
China-Japan-Korea Hainan Ceramics Art Camp, China
Miaoli International Ceramic Festival exhibition and Workshop, Taiwan
Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue Art Gallery Exhibition, China
The 58th Japan Contemporary Art and Crafts Exhibition at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Japan
ICAN Juried Exhibition at NCECA, U.S.
2018
"Forest of Art" Exhibition at Takashimaya Dept Store, Taiwan
2017
"Boîte de bijou" Group Exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan
"Daily Life with Happiness" Exhibition at Cultivate Gallery, Japan
2016
"Earth of Art" Exhibition at Takashimaya Dept Store, Taiwan
Woman's Association of Ceramic Art Exhibition at Kyoto City Museum, Japan
2015
The 7th Taiwan Golden Ceramics Awards at Yingge Ceramic Museum, Taiwan
2013
The first New Taipei City Ceramics Awards at Yingge Ceramic Museum, Taiwan
Artist in Residence
2025
Taoxichuan International Artists Residency, Jingdezhen, China
Mulberry Creek Pottery International Ceramic Artist Residency, Arkansas, USA
2024
Watershed Ceramic's Fall Residency M-Project, USA
2023
ClayArch Gimhae Museum, Korea (Invited)
2019
Wugu Culture Village in Miaoli, Taiwan (Invited)
Award
2022
The 60th Japan Contemporary Art and Crafts Exhibition, NHK Kyoto Broadcasting Director's. Award, Japan
Public Collection
2026
18th International Eskişehir Terra Cotta Symposium, Invited Artist, Turkey
2024
Clayarch Gimhae Museum, Korea
2023
The Taiwan Alishan Forestry Railway Cultural Resources Administration
Taiwan TV interview https://youtu.be/8KEtUCwrlmo
2022
Korean Ceramic Association, Korea
2021
Changchun Ceramic Museum, China
2019
Hainan Museum of Art, China
Miaoli Grains Cultural Village Hainan Art Museum, Taiwan
Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue Art Gallery, China