Mafune, Shoko

Born in Beijing in 1955 and raised within a vibrant, creative household in postwar Japan, Shoko Mafune’s artistic sensibilities were nurtured from a very young age. Despite initially completing a formal university degree in industrial chemistry in Tokyo, her lifelong fascination with earth and raw clay ultimately pulled her full-time into studio arts.

Mafune’s career is thoroughly transnational. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she underwent rigorous, immersive training under legendary master potters in Seto before embarking on extensive material research tours across Europe. In the 1990s, she relocated to the Philippines, a move that fundamentally liberated her creative style. She spent a decade deeply embedded in the Manila art scene—collaborating with local master potters, demonstrating at the National Museum, and mentoring young students at alternative regional hubs like Casa San Miguel in Zambales. Mafune later migrated to Melbourne, Australia, where she continues to operate a highly active home teaching studio while maintaining permanent gallery representation in Manila.

Education & European Studio Research
1978–1983: Intensive Apprenticeship under Master Potters Mr. Masayasu Chujo and Mr. Yoshimi Suzuki – Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

1983: Specialized Independent Research (Low-firing ceramics and glazes) – Spain

Postgraduate Material Surveys: Conducted multi-country research on contemporary sculpture across France, Italy, England, Norway, Austria, Belgium, and Slovenia.

1982: Bachelor of Industrial Chemistry – Seikei University, Tokyo, Japan

Selected Institutional Teaching & Public Work
2004–Present: Lecturer in Japanese Ceramics – Council of Adult Education (CAE), Melbourne, Australia

1994–1999: Faculty Instructor in Pottery – British School Manila & Euro Campus (French/German School), Philippines

1994: Community Art Facilitator (Youth Clay Workshops) – Casa San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines

1990 & 1992: Public Clay Demonstrations – National Museum of the Philippines and the International School Manila

Exhibition History
Selected Solo & Dual Showcases
2026: Slow Burn: Meditations in Clay – A joint milestone exhibition with Galleria Duemila hosted at the Aphro Living Store (The Alley at Karrivin Plaza, Makati City). Curated by Stephanie Frondoso, the showcase highlighted her critical historical evolution alongside fellow clay vanguards Nelfa Querubin and Hadrian Mendoza.

2004: Germination – Convent Gallery, Daylesford, Victoria, Australia

1999: After Siesta (Ceramic Sculptures and Reliefs) – Galleria Duemila, Pasay City, Philippines

1997: Kiss... – Galleria Duemila, Manila, Philippines

1996: Shooting Stars, Fleeting Moments (Busts, Masks, and Bronzes) – Galleria Duemila, Manila

1996: Love Letter To The Earth – Galeria de las Islas, Manila, Philippines

1994: Your Time, My Time (Ceramic Wall Clocks) – Hiraya Gallery, Manila

1994: Symphony from Mount Pundaquit – Casa San Miguel, San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines

1993: Messages from a Solitary Island – Hiraya Gallery, Manila, Philippines

1991: Sculptures: Debut Domestic Feature – Hiraya Gallery, Manila

Selected Group Surveys
1998: Whisper from the Earth (Art, Light, and Sound Collaboration with multimedia artist Yoji Toyosaki and guitarist Butch Roxas) – Staged across the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Galleria Duemila.

1997: Breaking Boundaries – Philippine Stock Exchange Building, Metro Manila

1993: Art Manila '93 (Focus: AIDS) – Philamlife Lobby, Manila, Philippines

1990: Luwad ’90 Creative Pottery – Hiraya Gallery, Manila

1990: Ceramic Visions – CRC College of Arts & Sciences, Manila