The Long-Awaited Solo Collection from Wakao Kei

Two years ago, The Stratford Gallery had the privilege of presenting the work of 若尾 経 (Wakao Kei) to the UK. Every piece from that debut found a home immediately, testament not to fleeting fashion but to the rare combination of intelligence, craftsmanship, and presence that his ceramics command.
 

When we invited Wakao-san to prepare a fuller solo collection, his response was both gracious and enthusiastic. Yet, as with an artist of his calibre in Japan, scheduling such an undertaking required patience. Two years have passed before the timing allowed him to dedicate a selection of works to this exhibition—a period that speaks to the exceptional demand for his practice. The opportunity to acquire from a body of work of this distinction is therefore rare and should not be missed.
 

Born in 1967 into the distinguished Wakao family of Gifu Prefecture, Kei Wakao is the eldest son of 若尾 利貞 (Wakao Toshisada), celebrated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Gifu for his mastery of Shino ware. Rather than following his father’s path directly, Wakao Kei has cultivated a rigorous dialogue with Chinese Song dynasty Ding and celadon traditions, interpreting them with a contemporary sensibility and a refined intellect.
 

His ceramics are as diverse as they are deliberate. Some vessels are striking, gilded, or richly expressive, commanding attention with presence and confidence. Others are more restrained, yet each holds a careful consideration of glaze as an integral element of the form, a balance between surface, weight, and proportion that distinguishes his work. Across the collection, there is a consistent sophistication: every piece reflects a deliberate decision, a measure of thoughtfulness that elevates glaze, body, and design into a unified expression.
 

This forthcoming solo collection is therefore a singular event: a rare chance to engage with the work of one of contemporary Japanese ceramics’ most accomplished voices. For collectors and admirers alike, it is an occasion to experience the remarkable range, presence, and intellectual clarity that Wakao Kei brings to his practice—a collection that rewards attention and promises enduring impact.


This solo collection will be released online at 7pm on Friday April 24th 2026
The collection will be available to view in the gallery from Saturday 25th April 2026