Gassho
Cintia Yamane Lemann
Gassho (detail) 2025
Midfire clay
Unglazed
39 x 17 x 20 cm
About the Artwork
Gassho, which is Japanese for ‘palms together in the chest’ (a sign of respect), is part of the ‘Symbiosis’ series. I explore two perspectives in relation to the work. The first is as a sculpture. I explore the empty space and the perceptions formed by a structure. Inspired by the Japanese concept of ma, where an in-between ‘empty’ space is the container of all its possibilities. The second is as a functional piece: the relationship between form and function. Does the added function change the perception of the piece from a sculpture to a vase? If so, is it still art, or is it now a design or a craft piece?
By adding a possible function, my intention is to shift the focus from the container/structure to the symbiosis between content and container, with each highlighting the other in perfect harmony. In Gassho, the ‘empty’ space suggests a sense of reverence, inner peace, and gratitude.
About the Artist
Cintia Yamane Lemann is a Brazilian of Japanese descent living in Mittagong, NSW. Her work is deeply influenced by her background in architecture and design, as well as the practice of Aikido— with a special appreciation of Dō, the guiding philosophy for martial arts and crafts in Japan.
In her work, Cintia explores the essence of form as a way to synthesise her various influences. She started making ceramics in 2013, studying and later working at Sturt Craft Centre as a pottery technician before establishing her own studio in 2021. In clay, Cintia found a place where design, art, and craft can meet: the convergence of form and functionality; skill and exploration; innovation and tradition; the mix of cultures.
Cintia has been a finalist in several awards, including the Siliceous Award for Excellence in Ceramics (2023) and a Highly Commended Award at the Bowral Sculptural Prize (2024). Her first solo exhibition at the SHAC (Southern Highlands Artisans Collective) in 2025 sold out.