This exhibition introduces the latest work by Hiroyuki Wakimoto, arguably one of the most creative and successful artists from the old Japanese pottery center of Bizen. Wakimoto's beautiful wood-fired ceramic works were first shown in American in 2002 at the Touching Stone Gallery. The show was so enthusiastically received that he followed with a new show every year since.

Wakimoto has a long fascination with ancient cultures. His earlier works were inspired by ancient Chinese bronze and prehistoric Japanese pottery. In 2004, Wakimoto visited New Mexico on an invitation by the New Mexico Museum of International Folk Art to show at the International Folk Art Market. He took the opportunity to visit some of the ancient Anasazi ruins in the area. Upon returning to Japan, he embarked on the current project, which merges traditional wood-fired ceramic vase forms with angular openings and channels that recall windows and passageways in Anasazi architecture. The result is something that looks at once ancient and contemporary.

Many pieces in the current show are vases or incense burners with detachable covers. Wakimoto fires the separate components of each piece in different parts of the kiln to produce contrasting colors and textures. This body of work evokes mythical beings with a minimalist sensibility, reminiscent of Isamu Noguchi sculptures. Some of the pieces are sculpted from chunks of clay rather than thrown on a wheel. The technique, called "kurinuki", offers great freedom for creating unique shapes. Reflecting on the evolution of his style, Wakimoto recalled, "In the beginning, I cared too much about making my work unique, my hands struggled with the clay. Then one day, I set my hands free to express my honest feelings without thinking too hard. From that day, I felt relaxed and my work became spontaneous".

About the artist Hiroyuki Wakimoto

Hiroyuki Wakimoto was born in 1952 in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu. He received art training in textile design in Osaka Art College. In his senior year, realizing that his interests were not in textiles, he left the college and went back to his hometown. During a visit to a friend who was doing an apprenticeship with a ceramist in Bizen, Wakimoto found his true calling. He was so inspired by Bizen-yaki that, at the age of 30, he began an apprenticeship under accomplished ceramist George Yamashita. In 1990, Wakimoto built his own nobori-gama (climbing kiln) and established his studio in Bizen.

As one of the six oldest pottery centers in Japan, Bizen has produced many exceptional ceramists, including a number of National Living Treasures. There is an enormous legacy for Bizen ceramists to live up to. Realizing that he must make up for his relatively late start, Wakimoto concentrates on developing a personal style. His fascination with forms compels him to create some of the most interesting works in contemporary Japanese ceramics. His pieces are instantly recognizable by the bold, meticulously conceived forms with clean strong lines and beautiful distinctive fire markings.

Producing a wide range of forms and effects requires not only creativity, but also intimate knowledge of the kiln. As an essential step in the creative process, Wakimoto keeps detailed records of every firing, including data on temperature and exact position of each piece in the kiln. This methodical approach frees the artist from haphazard guesswork, allowing him to focus on turning abstract visions into tangible forms.

Despite his soaring reputation, Wakimoto keeps his humility. "As an outsider who arrived at Bizen almost by chance, I was taught everything about Bizen-yaki that had taken centuries to develop. I hope someday I can contribute my share of knowledge to the continuous evolution of Bizen-yaki as a way of repaying the generosity of my adopted home-town". The refreshing boldness and uncompromising quality of Wakimoto’s work is making an impact in the Japanese ceramic circle, ushering a new era of creative energy in this ancient pottery center of Bizen.

1952     Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu

1975     Osaka Art College

1981     Apprenticeship under Bizen ceramist Joji Yamashita

1990     Established own kiln in Bizen

            Honorable Mention, 52nd Itt-sui Kai Ten

1991     8th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            2nd Biennial Ceramic Exhibition

            38th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

            1st Yaki-shime Ten

            Honorable Mention, 53rd Itt-sui Kai Ten

1992     9th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            30th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

            39th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

            54th Itt-sui Kai Ten

1993     Honorable Mention, 3rd Biennial Ceramic Exhibition

            31st Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

            36th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition, China Branch

            Asahi Contemporary Arts & Crafts Invitational Exhibition

1994     11th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            Grand Prize, 2nd Yaki Shime Juried Show

            Chairman’s Award, Japan Arts & Crafts Exhibition, Chu-goku Chapter

1995     12th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            13th Japan Ceramics Exhibition

            42th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

1996     13th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            34th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

1997     14th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            35th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

            44th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

            Nominated as a permanent member of Japan Arts & Crafts Association

1998     15th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

1999     37th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

2000     3 - 4 shows every year in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe

2002     Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2003     Kuroda Toen Gallery, Tokyo

            Tenmaya, Takamatsu

            Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2004     Kuroda Toen Gallery, Tokyo

            Tenmaya, Fukuoka

            Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

            Invited artist, Santa Fe International Folk Art Market 2004

2005    Kuroda Toen Gallery, Tokyo

            Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico