This group exhibition features ceramic works by Shohei Fujita, Chisato Yamano and fujita + chisato, the collaborative duo of Fujita and Yamano, who work next to each other at the studio. Conversations they have during working not only on their collaboration but also on their own individual work become an important part of the process of the artistic practice. The title of the exhibition “Kirin” (the applied Chinese character signifies “desks next to eath other”) comes from this particular element, which is different from usual group exhibitions, as well as the fact that their works often have the motifs of animal (“kirin” is a Japanese word for giraffe.). In this exhibition, Fujita will present his well-known series of bottles as well as sculptural works, while Yamano shows sculptural and 2-dimentional works. In addition, over 100 pieces by the duo, fujita + chisato will be on view. It is a rare occasion where both their individual and collaborative works are presented together to create a rich world.
Shohei Fujita was born in 1968 in Wakayama. He graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, and received M.F.A from the same university in 1995. He also studied at Edinburgh College Of Art. He currently lives and works in an island of Seto Inland Sea, Japan. Fujita has held many solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Mie among other cities. He participated in Mont Blanc Young Artist Patronage in Japan in 2011 (Mont Blanc GINZA, Tokyo). His works embrace distinctive touch, vivid colors and spots and marble patterns that look more like glass rather than ceramic, which are created by his original technique of shaving the multiple layers of glaze. While these works are functional, they attract the viewer with visionary and abstract expressions. He also creates sculptural works of fish or animals with amazingly minute painting on the surface.
Chisato Yamano was born in 1977 in Osaka. She graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, and received M.F.A. from the same university in 2005. She has held solo exhibitions in cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Aichi. From memories and stories Yamano’s work develops along with the expanding imagination like a word game. An armadillo’s back becomes a public bath where families and animals are bathing. Behind the wall, there is a mirror that reflects people washing themselves, and the armadillo’s skin is turned into tiles of the public bath. The seemingly chaotic world is created improvisationally by Yamano’s fingers, still keeping some kind of harmony. Her work is filled with humor, but also has sharp perspectives. She also creates paintings and collages using ceramic works.
fujita + chisato is a collaborative duo of Shohei Fujita and Chisato Yamano. With its beautiful forms and joyful motifs of figures and animals, their work, including cups, spoons and teapots, attract much attention in many places in Japan. The patterns on the surface are created by scratching with needles, applying slipware, and scraping it out. The images created by this delicate handwork are turned into the rich world of painting that invites viewers back to their childhoods or into the stories. Also, by actually being used in everyday life, the visual world can be felt more closely.
Icelandic nature is prominent in Eliasson's work, and his artistic relationship with it often involves collection or documentation that is scientific in tone. The country becomes a sensory laboratory where ideas can be developed and evolved into art, as evidenced in the multiple photographic series that would seem to witness a near compulsive need for collecting.
TAKA ISHII GALLERY, Tokyo presents NOBUYOSHI ARAKI - EroReal
7 June - 27 July 2013
Magazine pin-ups aren't interesting, are they? Especially now that they're shot digitally, they lack eroticism. They're doing it wrong. That's why I had to come in. It's not about an ambiance or concept; it's about being real. Not realism, but real?ero-real. I have to say it straight. It's not about nudity; clothed subjects can be erotic.
The approach, London presents JACK LAVENDER - Dreams Chunky
6 June - 28 July 2013
Jack Lavender draws from a world of mass-produced objects, transforming their singular banality through their composition within such structures as grids and metal armatures. Sitting between the disciplines of painting, sculpture and collage, Lavender brings different elements together to create a new entity.
