(1938-2020)
One of Japan's most versatile and forward-thinking contemporary artists, KOIE RYŌJI was best known as a ceramist but esteemed for his two-dimensional artwork as well. His love of experimentation led to his creation of “ceramic happenings,” with themes that were social and often political critiques of the horrors of the 20th century. Born in 1938 in Tokoname, one of the oldest ceramic centers in Japan, Koie studied ceramics locally but almost immediately developed his iconoclastic style. Rather than labor to preserve tradition, as a young man, he looked to movements in postwar contemporary art such as the abstract expressionist paintings of Jackson Pollock and the found-object ethos of Mono-ha. The gestural application of glazes on his ceramics created dynamic surfaces that reflected this innovative approach. His works can be found in the permanent collections of prominent museums on five continents.
Kohiki-glazed water jar with calligraphic decoration in iron glaze and a fitted black lacquer lid
ca. 2008-2010
Glazed stoneware
7 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.
Inv# 9258
SOLD
Rounded vessel
2005
Stoneware with oribe glaze
7 7/8 x 8 1/4 inches
Inv# 5693
SOLD
Koie Ryōji (b. 1938)
Large stoneware vessel with green oribe glaze
2002
13 1/4 x 10 3/4
Inv# 2997
Green oribe-glazed round vessel with multiple “dragonfly-eye” effect on bottom and incised decoration
ca. 2000
Glazed stoneware
10 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.
Inv# 8051
SOLD
Koie Ryōji (b. 1938)
Dark brown, oribe-glazed tsubo (vessel) with splash patterning in iron-oxide and incised abstract patterning
1991
Glazed stoneware
11 5/8 x 10 1/4 in.
Inv# 11185
SOLD
Blue-green and brown oribe-glazed low sake cup with incised abstract designs on exterior wall
ca. 1985
Glazed stoneware
1 5/8 x 2 3/4 inches
Inv# 8181
SOLD
