New works being released this week from Toru Ichikawa, Masamichi Yoshikawa, Asato Ikeda and dear friend of the gallery Lucien M. Koonce.
We are very excited to be debuting the work of Toru Ichikawa this week. Ichikawa san studied under Kakurezaki Ryuichi, senior Bizen potter who in turn studied under the legendary Isezaki Jun who was made a National living Treasure in 2004. It's certain to say that Ichikawa has taken tradition and challenged it to endless new possibilities. His bold use of colour, form and surface decoration has seen him climb to the 'most wanted' list of many collectors both in Japan and overseas. We are delighted to show his first collection of work here at the gallery this week.
Due to the popularity of Masamichi Yoshikawa's sublime and museum quality offerings in our exhibition 'Treasures of Japan' last year, we are delighted to say that we have a large collection of new sake wares becoming available this Friday. Work featuring his restrained simple seiji and copper to bold expressive works with his signature cobalt artist marks will be available.
Asato Ikeda makes a welcome return with his spiraling forms in porcelain, including new round bottomed guinomi, katakuchi and pieces larger than we have shown before.
Last but by no means least - Lucien Koonce chose The Stratford Gallery to show his first new works in some 18 months. His tell tale kurinuki forms are instantly recognisable as are the deep and intriguing decorative features of his multi wood fired works. New sake pourers, cups and chawan will be available.
All across Japan rght now, eight families are preparing and firing work for this important exhibition exploring Japanese family ceramic legacies. Full line up to be announced later this summer.
We can realese now that Hagi potter and gallery favourite, Kiyoshi Yamato and his son Keita, will be amongst those participating. Here is Keita san feeding his 登窯, noborigama or climbing kiln, ready to accept new work he has made for this exhibition.
It will certainly serve as an important opportunity to learn about family ceramic legacies in Japan, commonalities and diversions from tradition and relationships between father and son in terms of preserving and driving forward the family name.
The exhibition of work will be online and in the gallery, details to be released nearer the time. It has been curated with the help of our very good friend and fabulous ceramic artist Robert Fornell.
New pieces added! June 30th 2022
South Korean artist Inhwa Lee's works are some of the finest porcelain works we have ever had the pleasure of showing at the gallery. This internationally renowned artist has work in musuems worldide including the V&A London. We have a beautiful colection on display in the gallery and available online.
We are delighted to be open once again. No appointments are necessary and we look forward to welcoming you to the gallery soon.
All current Covid guidlelines for businesses are in effect.
Welcome back!
