For Asia Week New York this coming March, Joan B Mirviss LTD presents Six Celestials, an exhibition featuring masterpieces by six artists whose seminal careers established the foundations of contemporary Japanese clay art. By placing their diverse bodies of work in conversation, the exhibition highlights the ways in which each of these twentieth-century icons helped pave the way for the emergence of Japanese ceramics as it exists today—one of the most dynamic and exciting fields of contemporary art.
Born as the nineteenth century drew to a close, three of the artists in this exhibition played critical roles ushering Japanese clay into the twentieth century. As the founder of the ceramics department at Kyoto City University of Arts and longtime professor, Tomimoto Kenkichi (1886-1963) was a fierce advocate of individuality, a trait that is captured in his own elegantly formed and decorated porcelain vessels as well as in the diverse body of work that has been produced by his many students. The work of Ishiguro Munemaro (1893-1968) is bold and undeniably modern even as it was rooted in the ancient Chinese techniques that he dedicated his life to researching. In contrast with these contemporaries of his, both of whom were designated with the prestigious title of Living National Treasure for their work, Kawai Kanjirō (1890-1966) held true to the spirit of the Mingei (folk art) Movement he helped pioneer by eschewing official honors or recognition for his undisputed mastery of historical glazes.
As representatives of the next generation, the remaining three artists of this exhibition developed their ceramic legacies in the second half of the twentieth century. Though he studied the historical glazes of Shino, Oribe, and celadon, Okabe Mineo (1919-1990) breathed new life into these traditions with his innovative and entirely unique forms. With his ever-evolving palette of glazes, patterns, and forms, Kamoda Shōji (1933-1983) created some of the most evocative and sought-after works of the twentieth century. Finally, Tanaka Sajirō (b. 1937) continues to hone his skills in the art of wood-firing with natural glazes to create vibrant and contemporary works inspired by the historical tradition of Karatsu wares.
This exhibition features more than forty masterpieces equally distributed between these six artists, many of which have been exhibited and published in Japan. Works by these luminaries can be found in the collections of prominent museums worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY; Art Institute of Chicago, IL; National Museum of Asian Art, Washington, D.C.; National Museums of Modern Art, Kyoto and Tokyo; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Musée Tomo, Tokyo; Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and Minneapolis Institute of Art, MN.
Six Celestials opens on March 19 and runs through April. The gallery is open to visitors weekdays, 11am to 6pm and by appointment. For Asia Week New York, we will also have special weekend hours on Saturday, March 21 (11am to 6pm) and Sunday, March 22 (12pm to 5pm).