Over the
20th century, there have been a number of ceramic artists who were so much more
than that. Working across a variety of art and craft, people such as Takeuchi
Seiho, Kitaoji Rosanjin, Kawakita Handeishi, Arakawa Toyozo and Tsukigata
Nahiko created works in ceramics,
bronze, painting/calligraphy and lacquer. Today when I think of a
multi-discipline potter, I think of Tsujimura Shiro (b.1947) with his wonderful
pottery across a breathe of traditions and styles and his creative approach to
calligraphy and painting. Many of Tsujimura's paintings have a rather
evocative, contemplative atmosphere to them with traits reminiscent of the
Momoyama era suiboku painters. Like his
pottery, the ink works of Tsujimura have a visceral impact and an introspective
beauty to them.
Illustrated
is a wonderful photo of the multi-talented artist/potter, Tsujimura Shiro
"painting" large scale calligraphies at an exhibition at Yanagi
Oriental Fine Arts in New York. The photo was taken by passionate collector and
President of the Japanese Art Society Of America, Susan Peters. The exhibit
showcased Tsujimura's pottery and was accompanied by his shoga (callagraphic
art) and in the background of the photo you can see two large vases by
Tsujimura. With a bold and instant flourish the calligraphy appears though it
was roughly 65 years in the making.
.JPG)