Kashima Arts is proud to announce the opening of the Abe Anjin exhibition “Flaming Bizen -Momoyama Tea Pottery and Bizen-” on Dec 2 (Sat) through Dec 10 (Sun), 2023. In this exhibition, approximately 50 works of Abe’s ouvre will be on view, ranging from his renowned “Saishiki (Color glaze) Bizen,” to classic Bizen wares and oil paintings.
Abe Anjin started his artistic voyage in 1959, studying painting under Miyamoto Saburo, one of the western-style painter representative of the Showa Period. While holding solo exhibitions as a painter, at the age of 34, he encountered the art of ceramics in 1972 , and since then, begun to explore new forms of expression.
Abe’s fascination for tea pottery of the Momoyama period, and insatiable pursuit of pottery-making techniques were not limited to the mere inheritance of the classics, but also led to new possibilities for Bizen ware. Abe’s signature series “Saishiki Bizen,” which is richly colored in red, blue, yellow and green, is created by Abe’s unique technique of “three-point development” and “yakiotoshi.” Elevating Momoyama tea pottery into modern ceramics, Anjin’s works are highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad, and are collected by many institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the National Palace Museum, Taipei.
Form Saishiki Bizen, classic Bizen to oil paintings, please take a voyage into the world of Abe Anjin’s ouvre, that transcends time.
[Artist’s Comment]
“ Flaming Bizen -Momoyama Tea Pottery and Bizen-“
The number of masterpieces of Bizen tea utensils from Momoyama Period is extremely limited.
It is interesting to note that the firing method is completely different from folk crafts such as pots and bowls.
Compared to the single firing of folk crafts, tea utensils are fired several times, dozens of times in some cases. All tea ceramics, from tea bowl, water jar, flower vase and bowls, are kilned in different angles and positions – top and bottom, front and back. And lastly, all the ceramics are properly placed and go into the final firing.
I believe this difference in firing process is very unique.
With a kiln firing that takes place about once a year, it takes years to complete a single piece.
Therefore, the clay and kilns were rich with their own charm and character.
Incidentally, Bizen has long been a major producer of refractory bricks.
My work is not related to soil or kiln, but consists purely of firing temperature, oxidation and deoxidization.
It’s not Momoyama or modern, it’s my firing.
― Abe Anjin
【Artist's Profile】
Born in Osaka in 1938, Abe Anjin studied under Miyamoto Saburo at the Contemporary Art Laboratory from the age of 21. In his 30s, he entered the field of ceramics and built a kiln in Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he held his first international solo exhibition in New York, “Abe Anjin Exhibition”. Following this, he expanded his field of activity overseas, and held his solo exhibition, “ANJIN ABE” in France (Paris, 2002) and exhibited at the “Arts of Pacific Asia Show” (San Francisco, 2008) in the US. In addition, Abe was involved in the planning the pottery department during the establishment Shimane IT Design College. Actively giving academic lectures both in and out of Japan, Abe’s vast contributions goes beyond creative pursuits, as he continues to foster talents and spread the art of ceramics to future generations.
Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art, Itohara Memorial Museum, Kasama Nichido Museum of Art, Kano Museum of Art, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Saijo Matsudaira Shrine Homotsukan, Shimane Prefecture Yokota Geijutsu no Mori, Dazaifu Tenmangu Museum, Nakajima Art Museum, Numazu Imperial Villa Memorial 100th Anniversary Park, The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo, Miurart Village Art Museum, Ateliers d’ de France (France), Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (Latvia) , National College of Art & Design (Ireland), Asian Art Museum (USA), New Mexico Museum of Art (USA), Mint Museum of Art (USA), Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA), Musée Ariana (Switzerland), Fitzwilliam Museum (UK), National Palace Museum (Taiwan), Yingge Ceramics Museum (Taiwan)
Artist’s Website: http://www.abe-anjin.com/
【Exhibiting Works】
(Right) Saishiki (Color glaze) Bizen Gourd Sake Carafe / 15×8×8 cm
(Right) Bizen Sake Carafe / 13×8.5×8.5 cm
【Event Outline】
Exhibition Titles｜Abe Anjin Exhibition “Flaming Bizen -Momoyama Tea Pottery and Bizen-”
Exhibition Website｜https://www.kashima-arts.co.jp/en/exhibitions/abeanjin_yakubizen/
Dates｜ December 2 (Sat) to December 10 (Sun), 2023 *10am to 6pm, open everyday
Exhibiting Works｜ Approx. 50 *All works for sale
Venue｜ Kashima Arts 2F
TEL｜ (+81) (0)3-3276-0700
Admission｜ Free
Address ｜ 3-3-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0031
2 min walk from Exit 3 of Kyobashi Station, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
3 min walk from Exit 7 of Ginza Itchome Station, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
5 min walk from Exit A4 of Takaracho Station, Toei Subway Asakusa Line
9 min walk from Yaesu Minami-guchi (Yaesu south exit) of JR Tokyo Station
