Touching Stone Gallery Exhibitions 2009

Touching Stone Gallery celebrates its 10th year in Santa Fe with a series of exhibitions to showcase outstanding Japanese artists from different areas.

Hiroyuki Wakimoto and Yoshitaka Hasu, renowned ceramists from the historic pottery centers of Bizen and Iga respectively, are pushing the boundaries in their respective areas using centuries-old materials and techniques. Tadashi Ito and Yukiya Izumita are contemporary ceramists from Tohoku in northern Japan. Their works embody boldness and free spirits unrestrained by traditions. Yoko Terai represents the innovative energy and sophistication associated with the 'Kyoto School' Japanese ceramics. Master kakishibu artist Masamichi Terada completes the lineup with his exquisite one-of-a-kind dyed textiles.

Come enjoy the shows in our gallery, or see the shows online by clicking on the images after the opening dates!

Click on images to see 2009 exhibitions

Click here to see 2008 exhibitions; Click here to see 2007 exhibitions

April 3 - 29, 2009

Hiroyuki Wakimoto - Contemporary Wood-fired Bizen Ceramic

Internationally known award-winning artist Hiroyuki Wakimoto is one of the most influential contemporary ceramists from Bizen, Japan.  He set new directions and standards with innovative works inspired by ancient Japanese and Chinese pottery, and pioneered exploration of composite forms fired in different parts of the kiln to achieve contrasting colors and decorations. This highly anticipated exhibition will be Wakimoto's 7th solo show in Touching Stone Gallery.

Yukiya Izumita - Ceramic Forms Unbound

Touching Stone Gallery is privileged to host the American debut for Yukiya Izumita, an award-winning young ceramic artist from Tohoku, Japan, whose seemingly effortless forms belie their conceptual and technical sophistication. Izumita's style offers an interesting contrast to that of Tadashi Ito, another exceptional ceramic artist showing in our gallery this year (See below).

Masamichi Terada - Kakishibu-dyed Textile 

Kakishibu, an ancient technique to dye fabrics using fermented persimmon juice, is an 'endangered' Japanese art form. We are honored to have introduced master kakishibu artist Masamichi Terada in his successful American debut in Touching Stone Gallery in 2007. This exhibition will showcase Terada's new works inspired by nature.

Yoshitaka Hasu - Contemporary Wood-fired Iga Ceramic

Yoshitaka Hasu is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive ceramic artists from the historic Japanese pottery center of Iga. His works are instantly recognized by their meticulous designs, bold and strong forms, and dramatic firing, a style that he pioneered by combining natural wood ash and iron glaze to take advantage of the unique textures and characters of Iga clay. This will be Hasu's 3rd exhibition in Touching Stone Gallery, following his very successful shows in 2007 and 2008.

Tadashi Ito - Quintessence II

Another award-winning contemporary ceramic artist from Tohoku is Tadashi Ito, whose extraordinary work was first shown in America in 2007 in Touching Stone Gallery. Ito is noted for his elegant and sophisticated forms inspired by nature, especially seashells. Peering inside some of the shells half-exposed by erosion, he feels he glimpses some secrets of the universe, the quintessence of life. His showpieces capture those fleeting magical moments of wonder and inspiration.

Yoko Terai

A rising star among the "Kyoto school" of contemporary Japanese ceramists, Yoko Terai follows her successful shows in Touching Stone Gallery in 2004, 2005 and 2007 with a body of new work that embodies beauty, grace, and an unmistakably feminine sensitivity. Her new show is inspired by the elegance of movements.