Born 1952, Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
ITŌ TADASHI uses a rare type of gray clay, which is found at his kiln site in Iwate Prefecture. Before firing the clay, he covers it with white kaolin clay that he scrapes off with a wire brush after firing. His saidei (colored-clay) works have the appearance of antique metal; this is achieved by repeated firings. Itō admires the work of Richard Lang, a British contemporary artist, and also draws inspiration from Jōmon ware. As a child, he combed beaches collecting shells that remain a profound influence in his work, as he sees them as the quintessence of beauty. Later on, studies in geology also impacted his eventual style. Ito’s sculptural works are characterized as simultaneously both simple yet sophisticated. His rough gray or red unglazed surfaces contrast with his shiny jade-green ash-glazed interiors.
Tall gray columnar sculpture with sloped shoulders, flaring base and bottle-like mouth
2012
Glazed stoneware
14 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 9 1/8 inches
Inv# 7684
SOLD
Itō Tadashi (b. 1952)
Conical concave sculpture with teardrop shaped perforation
2010
Stoneware with unglazed exterior and crackle glazed interior
10 1/4 x 17 x 13 3/4 inches
Inv. # 6548
SOLD
Ovoid, horizontal vessel with deep red slip glaze and wide mouth
2008
Stoneware with slip glaze
8 1/4 x 10 5/8 x 15 3/4 inches
Inv# 5908
SOLD
Round sculpture with concave center and rough texture of deep red and black slip glaze
2007
Stoneware
7 1/8 x 3 1/8 x 4 3/4 inches
Inv# 5133
SOLD
Itō Tadashi (b. 1952)
Spiral shell-shaped stoneware vessel with raked pattern
2005
19 x 7 1/8 x 8 1/8"
Inv# 4238
SOLD
