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Touching Stone Gallery  Santa Fe  New Mexico USA

www.touchingstone.com  Email: director@touchingstone.com

 

Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen

Serendipity

November 28 - December 31, 2008

See more of this artist's works: 2008 show 2006 show, 2002 show

 

Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen  コーエン冷子

The remarkable pottery by Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen (b.1947) began its life 30 years ago through a chance encounter in Japan. In 1976, Reiko Kakiuchi was working for the City of Kyoto. One day, she brought some strawberries to a new neighbor, a young American named Ben Cohen. Ben made some strawberry crepes and invited her to share them. She learned that he was a painter and brother of a well-known American artist. That innocuous encounter started something of extraordinary beauty.

Reiko and Ben married in 1978. During their honeymoon, they traveled to Miyazaki-mura in Fukui Prefecture, birth place of Echizen-yaki and one of the six oldest pottery centers in Japan. Ben was so inspired by the quiet beauty of Echizen-yaki that he stayed to study pottery under master Shichizaemon Kitano. After three years of apprenticeship, the couple rented an old house surrounded by towering cedars in the tiny village Kadanji (Temple of Mosquito Valley). Ben converted an old oil-kiln for wood-firing, and named their kiln "Joyous Flame" - a phonetic play of the Japanese words for "Cohen". While other potters preferred firing with pine, Ben used cedar which was cheaper but burned poorly. He adapted his firing techniques to the unusual fuel and created a unique style of pottery with distinct patina of red flashes, white washes, and streaks of lime green.

In the next seven or eight years, Ben showed throughout Japan and his work began to gain recognition. Then tragedy abruptly shattered the couple’s dream. In the summer of 1989, Ben was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After separating briefly to visit their respective families, the couple returned to their beloved valley and devoted their remaining time together to keep their dream alive. By then, Ben had lost the use of his hands. Through oral instructions, he passed his knowledge and skills to Reiko, who had never worked with clay before. Their sheer determination and heroic efforts helped Reiko to realize her untapped talents.

In 1991, the couple held their first joint exhibition in Nagoya. The show was a huge success. Over a hundred pieces of their work were completely sold out. The following year, they held another joint exhibition at the prestigious Ginza Tachikichi in Tokyo. It was again a sold-out. One month after that show opened, Ben passed away.

After Ben’s death, Reiko stayed with their two young sons in their house in Kadanji overlooking a rice field across from Ben’s grave. Determined to continue the legacy started by Ben, she worked tirelessly to create her distinctive style that blended femininity, strength, Eastern and Western aesthetics. While keeping many of the forms originated by Ben, she concentrated on refining her wood-firing skills to produce stunning works that earned her wide admiration.

In 2000, Reiko launched her American debut with a show at Touching Stone Gallery in Santa Fe. The show was enthusiastically received.  In 2002 and 2006, Reiko followed with two more sold-out shows at Touching Stone Gallery. Meanwhile, her work gradually evolved from strictly ceramic to incorporate other materials like iron and wood. Her current show - an intriguing study of understated aesthetic in clay, iron, and wood - is a quiet testimony of the courage, love, determination, and grace of this remarkable artist. It is also a personal triumph for her late husband, as the fruit of what Ben Cohen planted long ago is now shown in the homeland of his beloved sister, Judy Chicago.

 

Click on images to view selected pieces

Inquiry/order: director@touchingstone.com, see Inquiry/Order

 

 
ReikoCohen-Vase4c.jpg (33164 bytes)
Vase Form No. 4
Wood-fired ceramic w/ natural wood-barrel base  (Natural twine not included)
5"w x 2"d x 5"h (ceramic vase),  34" x 4" x 1.5"  (wood base)
Sold

ReikoCohen-Vase9a.jpg (65070 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase38a.jpg (77268 bytes)

Triple Vases No. 9

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 14"w x 2"d x 16"h

Sold

 

Triple Vases No. 38

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

15"w x 3"d x 15.5"h

Sold

 

ReikoCohen-Vase8b.jpg (39779 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase39a.jpg (31824 bytes)

Vase Form No. 8

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 9.5"w x 2"d x 12"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

   

VVase Form No. 39

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 10.5"w x 1.5"d x 11"h

   Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase1c.jpg (160590 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase1a.jpg (145241 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase12a.jpg (139118 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase12d.jpg (120284 bytes)

Vase Form No. 1

  Wood-fired ceramic   12"w x 7.5"d x 13"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

Vase Form No. 12

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ rattan handle   8"w x 7.5"d x 13.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase11a.jpg (162942 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase11d.jpg (157219 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase15a.jpg (161296 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase15b.jpg (155918 bytes)

Vase Form No. 11

  Wood-fired ceramic    13"w x 4.5"d x 8"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Vase Form No. 15

  Wood-fired ceramic    11"w x 4.5"d x 6"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase6a.jpg (119396 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase6b.jpg (111505 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase5b.jpg (101689 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase5a.jpg (100177 bytes)

Vase Form No. 6

  Wood-fired ceramic   10"w x 4"d x 4.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

   

Vase Form No. 5

  Wood-fired ceramic     9.5"w x 4.5"d x 4"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase13a.jpg (136242 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase13b.jpg (145271 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase2a.jpg (102620 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase2b.jpg (118171 bytes)

Vase Form No. 13
   Wood-fired ceramic  11"w x 3"d x 7.5"h  (2 views)
Sold

Vase Form No. 2

Wood-fired ceramic  12"w x 2.5"d x 5.5"h  (2 views)

 Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase26a.jpg (57166 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase26b.jpg (52015 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase3a.jpg (150769 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase3b.jpg (139998 bytes)

Vase Form No. 26

  Wood-fired ceramic  6"w x 3"d x 5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

Vase Form No. 3

  Wood-fired ceramic   13"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase14a.jpg (105689 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase14b.jpg (113331 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase20a.jpg (63236 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase20b.jpg (60530 bytes)

Vase Form No. 14

  Wood-fired ceramic   5"w x 2.5"d x 10"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Vase Form No. 20

  Wood-fired ceramic   4"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

   

 

ReikoCohen-Vase16a.jpg (163214 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase16b.jpg (166673 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase17a.jpg (110275 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase17b.jpg (91493 bytes)

Vase Form No. 16

  Wood-fired ceramic   9.5"w x 2"d x 5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

   

 Vase Form No. 17

  Wood-fired ceramic   6"w x 2"d x 8h (2 views)

Sold

 

   

ReikoCohen-Vase18a.jpg (75224 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase18b.jpg (72175 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase19a.jpg (67828 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase19b.jpg (64469 bytes)

Vase Form No. 18

  Wood-fired ceramic   5.5"w x 3"d x 7.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Vase Form No. 19

  Wood-fired ceramic   4"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

  

 

ReikoCohen-Vase35b.jpg (24880 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase35a.jpg (25191 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase36c.jpg (27399 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase36b.jpg (26078 bytes)

Vase Form No. 35

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 4"w x 5"d x 18"h (2 views)

Sold

 

 

Vase Form No. 36

 Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 4"w x 4"d x 18"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase37b.jpg (32556 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase37a.jpg (41252 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase45a.jpg (33180 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase45b.jpg (26777 bytes)

Vase Form No. 37

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 5"w x 5"d x 17.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

 

Vase Form No. 45

  Wood-fired ceramic w/ hand-forged wrought iron stand

 4"w x 4"d x 18"h  (2 views)

  Sold

 

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase21b.jpg (95216 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase21a.jpg (102658 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase22a.jpg (81019 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase22b.jpg (74018 bytes)

Vase Form No. 21

  Wood-fired ceramic    8"w x 5"d x 7"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Vase Form No. 22

  Wood-fired ceramic    6"w x 4"d x 6"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase23b.jpg (127583 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase23a.jpg (115560 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase24a.jpg (71935 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase24b.jpg (83177 bytes)

Vase Form No. 23

  Wood-fired ceramic    8"w x 4"d x 6"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Vase Form No. 24

  Wood-fired ceramic     5.5"w x 4"d x 9"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase27a.jpg (47702 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase27b.jpg (47937 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase28a.jpg (33901 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase28b.jpg (32796 bytes)

Hanging Vase Form No. 27

  Wood-fired ceramic    3.5"w x 2.5"d x 8.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Hanging Vase Form No. 28

  Wood-fired ceramic    3"w x 2.5"d x 8"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase29a.jpg (67159 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase29b.jpg (62863 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase30a.jpg (68586 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase30b.jpg (80275 bytes)

Hanging Vase Form No. 29

  Wood-fired ceramic    6"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

  Sold

 

 

 

Hanging Vase Form No. 30

  Wood-fired ceramic    6"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase31a.jpg (65017 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase31b.jpg (54436 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase32a.jpg (60722 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase32b.jpg (63924 bytes)

Hanging Vase Form No. 31

  Wood-fired ceramic    6"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Hanging Vase Form No. 32

  Wood-fired ceramic   6"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase33a.jpg (75664 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase33b.jpg (67537 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase7a.jpg (65842 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase7b.jpg (64121 bytes)

Hanging Vase Form No. 33

  Wood-fired ceramic    5.5"w x 2"d x 7.5"h  (2 views)

Sold

 

 

 

Hanging Vase Form No. 7

  Wood-fired ceramic    6"w x 2"d x 6.5"h  (2 views)

  Sold

 

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase34a.jpg (51399 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase34c.jpg (17079 bytes)

ReikoCohen-Vase44b.jpg (37182 bytes)ReikoCohen-Vase44c.jpg (63235 bytes)

Hanging Vase Form No. 34

  Wood-fired ceramic vase w/ wrought iron hanger

 5"w x 5"d x 5"h  (ceramic vase),  33" (iron hanger)

Sold

 

 

Hanging Vase Form No. 44

  Wood-fired ceramic vase w/ lacquer-finished Paulownia wood

 3.5"w x 4"d x 3"h  (ceramic vase),  33.5"l x 5"w x 1"d (wood panel)

Sold

 

 

ReikoCohen-Vase25c.jpg (77510 bytes)
Vase Form No. 25
Wood-fired ceramic vase w/ Camellia oil-rubbed wood base from wild pear tree
vase: 6"w x 2.5"d x 6"h,  wood base: 32" x 11" x 1"
Sold
 

 

Exhibitions

TT

1981   "Joyous Flame" Kiln established in Kadanji, Miyazaki-mura, Japan

1991   First joint show with Ben Cohen, Gallery Akane, Nagoya

           Second joint show with Ben Cohen, Clay Work Gallery, Fukui

1992   Last joint show with Ben Cohen, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza

1993   First solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza

1994   Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Osaka Shinsaibashi

           Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki

1995   Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza

           Solo show, Gallery Masuda, Shimane

1996   Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki

           Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Osaka Shinsaibashi

1997   Solo show, Gallery Yamahoushi, Kyoto

1998   Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza

           Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki

           Solo show, Gallery Kantan, Matsuyama

1999   Solo show, Gallery Fuchitei, Nagano

2000   Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza

           Solo show, Gallery Misaki, Ehime

           Solo show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2001   Solo show, Gallery Yamahoushi, Kyoto

2002   Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza

           Solo show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

           Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki

2003   Solo show, Gallery Sara, Kyoto

2004   Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Kyoto

2005   Group show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2006   Solo show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

           Solo show, Gallery Fuchitei, Fukui

2008   Solo show, Gallery Utsuwaya Yu, Tokyo

           Solo show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico