Hi! My name is Becca ニ奈 Doll-Tyler (she/her). I am a proud second generation Okinawan-American residing on the traditional homelands of the Nuche/Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ouray, Colorado).
Drawing inspiration from my ancestors, I strive to pay homage to their legacy in all my endeavors. Crafting functional ceramic pieces that embody a profound connection to our Earth and her creatures brings me immense joy, as I endeavor to spread simple yet meaningful happiness to those around me.
My mother, and all our mothers before us, are from Ikemajima, a small island in the southern portion of the Ryukyu/Loochoo archipelago. Zuma [島] is a word in the Ikema language of Okinawan [Uchinaaguchi], that means island. Nina [ニ奈] is my middle name, given to me by my mom to honor her oldest sister.
It is in pottery that I would like to creatively celebrate my roots as an Uchinaanchu-American while also honoring these beautiful mountains, vast deserts, winding rivers, and expansive oceans that surround and inspire my daily life.
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NINAZUMA POTTERY IN THE NEWS:
Shoutout Colorado
