The artistic duo BLECHMEKI (a portmanteau word derived from their last names — Max Blechman and Kazu Umeki) — have discovered a new way of looking at ordinary objects, specifically, their extensive collection of vintage American pottery gathered from all over the United States. Using multiples of these pottery pieces (vases, bowls, figurines, etc.), they create new, hitherto unseen, forms, which then are photographed against a black background.

The resulting photos transcend the commonplace to achieve a rare artistic simplicity. By using repetition, symmetry and fundamental geometric protocols, they create art directly relating to the overlapping of natural patterns with manmade objects. Though often similar at a quick glance to other groupings, each different pottery’s originality and irregularity creates its own unique beauty.

Max grew up in New York City and its environs. He received his Bachelor’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan. He likes films, good food, travel and the New York Times crossword puzzles.

Kazu was born in Tokyo and obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degree at Rhode Island School of Design. Besides the photographic tableaux, he explores various artistic media forming beauty found in everyday life. In his spare time, he likes to run, travel and binge-watch TV programs.

BLECHMEKI lives and continues to make new photo tableaux in San Francisco, CA.