In early March I flew to Japan to take up a residency at the renowned Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. I had envisaged spending the first half of 2020 researching and experimenting with colour development. I planned to take advantage of the extensive facilities and knowledgeable staff at Shigaraki as well as immerse myself in the forests that surround the centre. I was very excited about this opportunity to deepen my craft. This view is from my hotel room in Osaka - the streets were eerily quiet as Covid 19 had already begun to take hold in Japan. SCCP decided it was prudent to close the centre and I came home to Australia. Fingers crossed I will be back there next year.