長年深耕於靜岡陶瓷文化的前田直紀藝術家，曾擔任藤枝市陶藝中心館長、駿府「匠宿」工房長，至今仍持續於「匠宿」擔任重要協調與推動工作。同時，他亦於靜岡文化藝術大學擔任講師，並獲得「靜岡縣文化獎勵獎」。
       對藝術家而言，創作不只是個人實踐，更是一種對家鄉土地的回應。一直以來，他始終以深厚的熱情，投入與傳承靜岡的陶瓷文化。
      另外，他的創作也遍及至國際，曾於芬蘭、台灣等地駐村，並參與法國、捷克、中國等地的展覽與藝術博覽會。無論在海外或日本工藝領域，他都持續展現炙熱及沉穩的藝術表現。
       而在創作上，他擅長茶器製作，同時發展雕塑與裝置藝術。其作品融合陶瓷與漆藝技法，並持續研發創新釉藥，在材質與技術之間探索更多可能性。

Long devoted to the ceramic culture of Shizuoka, Naoki Maeda previously served as Director of the Fujieda City Ceramic Art Center and as Director of the Ceramic Studio at Takumi-shuku in Sunpu. He continues to play an important role at Takumi-shuku, contributing to its coordination and cultural development. He is also a lecturer at Shizuoka University of Art and Culture and a recipient of the Shizuoka Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award.

For Maeda, creation is not merely a personal practice but a response to the land of his hometown. With enduring passion, he has dedicated himself to the promotion and preservation of Shizuoka’s ceramic culture.

His artistic practice also extends internationally. He has participated in residencies in Finland and Taiwan and has taken part in exhibitions and art fairs in France, the Czech Republic, China, and beyond. Whether abroad or within Japan’s craft community, he consistently presents work that embodies both intensity and quiet strength.

In his practice, Maeda is known for his refined tea wares while also developing sculptural and installation works. His creations integrate ceramic techniques with lacquer traditions, alongside ongoing experimentation with innovative glazes—continually exploring new possibilities between material and technique.