Yoko Terai

Elusive Beauty II

Exhibition  Nov. 25 - Dec. 30, 2005

Touching Stone Gallery is proud to host another exhibition of work of ceramic artist Yoko Terai, noted for her graceful, sensitive, and highly original forms that have gained critical acclaim in Japan.

Yoko Terai (b. 1972) is considered one of the brightest talents among young contemporary Japanese ceramic artists. She received her fine art degree from the Department of Ceramic of the Kyoto City University of Arts, where renowned ceramic artist Osamu Suzuki once taught. Inspired by Suzuki's ground-breaking work, Terai devoted herself to finding her personal style. Her graduation work received the Mayor of Kyoto Prize, an honor claimed by few artists of her age. After graduating in 1995, Terai sought apprenticeship under ceramist Nobuo Nojima in Uji City. Her mentor quickly recognized her talents and potential, and encouraged the young artist to pursue an independent career as a full-time artist.

Terai is fascinated by seeing beauty in things ordinary, a gift she inherited from her artist mother and architect father. She also has an uncommon ability to capture such beauty with grace and sensitivity, and allow her audience to share her vision. She approaches ceramic from an artist’s angle, using clay as a means to turn her aesthetic visions into forms. Her approach is thus quite different from many other Japanese ceramists who build careers along traditional pottery styles. Not having to conform to traditions gives Terai complete freedom to explore and create her uniquely personal style.

Terai rarely uses the potter’s wheel (another departure from traditions). Instead, she starts with drawings of conceptual designs, and builds most of her pieces by hands. Functionality seems incidental in her work. When she is satisfied with the general designs, she just set her hands free to mold the curves and surfaces into their final forms as if guided by instinct. The resulting pieces are defined by graceful curves that seem to flow delicately between positive and negative spaces, revealing the essence of the forms as one’s eyes follow the lines. The flowing forms are barely covered by shades of pale monochromatic tones, achieved by applying a thin glaze made from titanium oxide crystals. Overall, the gentle delicate forms, smooth texture and airy hues evoke a noble, unmistakably feminine, sensuous feel.

When installing an exhibition, Yoko Terai pays great attention to the spatial relationship between the individual showpieces and surrounding space. Since 1997, Terai has exhibited extensively in Japan, receiving many awards. Her work was first shown in America at Touching Stone Gallery in 2004. The current show includes three dozen new pieces that exemplify the exquisite grace and sensitivity of this gifted artist.  d

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #5

19.5" x 12.5" x 8.5"H  (3 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #2

14"H x 10" x 9" (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #16

11" x 3.5" x 1.5"H   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #19

11" x 3.5" x 1.5"H

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #9

8"H" x 4.5" x 4"  Sold

w/ detachable "stoppers" Both sold 

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #10

9"H" x 2.5" x 2.5"   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #1

26"L x 4.5" x 1.5"  (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #3

25"L x 4.5" x 2"   (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #4

26"L x 4" x 2"   (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #11

15"H" x 5" x 4.5"   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic forms #11 & 12

(#12  Sold)

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #12

17"H" x 4" x 3.5"  Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #15

9.5"H" x 5.5" x 4.5" (2 views)  Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #13

11" x 9" x 6.5"H (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #6

19"L" x 6.5" x 3.5" (2 views)  Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #14

12"H x 6" x 4" (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #8

7.5" x 6" x 5.5"H (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #22

15"L x 5.5" x 3.5" (2 views)  Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #21

13.5"L x 4.5" x 2.5" (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #7

7.5"L x 5.5" x 3" (2 views)   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #38

4.5"H x 2.75" x 2.5" (2 views)  Not available

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #18 (top Sold ) ,  form #17 (bottom)

9"L x 3" x 2.5" (top),   7"L x 3" x 1.5" (bottom)

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #20 (2-pc set)

7.5"L x 3" x 1",  5.5"L x 2" x 1"  Not available

Left to right:    Ceramic water droppers #24 Sold,  #25 Sold, #26 Sold, #27 Sold

Approx. 1.5" - 2.5" H

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #23

5"H x 5.5" x 3.5"   Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #28

4"H x 6" x 3.5"  Sold

Elusive Beauty  ceramic form #29

9.5" x 4" x 3"H (2 views)  Not available

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