sn catalogue
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Calatoge of work by Shigekazu Nagae and Naoki TakeyamaTRANSCRIPT
JAPANESE COOL
Shigekazu Nagae Naoki Takeyama
Shigekazu Nagae (1953- )
Shigekazu Nagae is a leading pioneer of porcelain slipcasting techniques in Japan. Casting is commonly associated with mass-produced porcelain, yet Nagae transcends this stereotype to create abstract works that are emancipated from the creative restrictions imposed by functionality. His latest works are the culmination of his extensive experiments into the qualities of clay and fire. Liquid porcelain is first slip-cast into two different moulds. After drying and bisque-firing, the separate pieces are hung mid-air within Nagae’s kiln and attached together with glaze. The natural curvatures and silhouettes are a result of the natural kiln effects that serendipitously drape and taper the porcelain into organic sheets.
Born in Seto, Aichi, Nagae studied ceramics in Seto before teaching in both Seto and Bunsei.In 2002 he became a member of the International Ceramics Academy, and in 2004 received the Cultural Prize, Art Selection of Aichi Prefecture, Aichi. Other awards include Grand Prix, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Grand Prix, Triennal de la Porcelain, Nyon and Grand Prix, Mino Ceramic Festival, Japan
Public CollectionsThe Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Shiga, JapanJapan Foundation, JapanSevre National Museum of Ceramics, Paris, FranceMuseum of Modern Ceramic Art, GifuTokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, JapanMusee Ariana, Geneva, Switzerland Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK
Shigekazu Nagae (1953- )
Shigekazu Nagae is a leading pioneer of porcelain slipcasting techniques in Japan. Casting is commonly associated with mass-produced porcelain, yet Nagae transcends this stereotype to create abstract works that are emancipated from the creative restrictions imposed by functionality. His latest works are the culmination of his extensive experiments into the qualities of clay and fire. Liquid porcelain is first slip-cast into two different moulds. After drying and bisque-firing, the separate pieces are hung mid-air within Nagae’s kiln and attached together with glaze. The natural curvatures and silhouettes are a result of the natural kiln effects that serendipitously drape and taper the porcelain into organic sheets.
Born in Seto, Aichi, Nagae studied ceramics in Seto before teaching in both Seto and Bunsei.In 2002 he became a member of the International Ceramics Academy, and in 2004 received the Cultural Prize, Art Selection of Aichi Prefecture, Aichi. Other awards include Grand Prix, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Grand Prix, Triennal de la Porcelain, Nyon and Grand Prix, Mino Ceramic Festival, Japan
Public CollectionsThe Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Shiga, JapanJapan Foundation, JapanSevre National Museum of Ceramics, Paris, FranceMuseum of Modern Ceramic Art, GifuTokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, JapanMusee Ariana, Geneva, Switzerland Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK
Forms in Succession 1 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 2 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 3 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 4 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 5 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 6 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 7 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 8 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 9 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Forms in Succession 10 Slip-Cast Porcelain Object with Glaze
Naoki Takeyama (1974- )
Naoki Takeyama wields the ancient and extremely difficult technique of cloisonné enamelled metalwork with an electric modernity that calls to mind the pop-art of the 1960’s and the minimalistic, asymmetrical designs of Japanese fashion designers of the 1980’s. Each work is made from a single copper sheet that is pinched and formed by hand. The animated copper bodies are then decorated with numerous coats of glaze, with each coat requiring a separate firing. After glazing, silver or gold leaf is cut out and applied using a bamboo paddle, and fired on through separate firings. Each work takes approximately one month to complete, and requires more than twenty individual firings.
Having been head of his class in the Toyko National University of Fine Arts and Music, Naoki Takeyama achieved the Grand Prix at the Japan Craft Exhibition in 2000 at the young age of 26, and has been winning an array of awards since then. He made his first appearance at Collect this year, where a piece of his work was bought by the V&A. In 2001 he received the Toyota Cultural Prize, Aichi Prefecture.
Public CollectionsTokyo University of the Arts, 2001 Toyota City, Aichi, Japan, 2004Victoria & Albert Museum, 2008
Yumegatari (Reverie in Turquoise) Hand-Pinched Copper Object with Enamels and Silver Leaf
Yumegatari (Reverie), Kogare (Devotion), Tamayura (Ephemeral), Kogare (Devotion in Indigo) Yumegatari (Reverie in Turquoise) Hand-Pinched Copper Object with Enamels and Gold Leaf
Tamayura (Ephemeral)
Kogare (Devotion)
Kogare (Devotion in Indigo)
Yumegatari (Reverie in Turquoise)
Tamayura (Ephemeral) Yumegatari (Reverie)
Kogare (Devotion)
Kogare (Devotion in Indigo)
3 St James Street Bath BA1 2TW 01225 444142 www.questgallery.co.uk