SHINO BUTTE

Most likely as a result of watching way too many movies and TV, when I first saw this vase, what immediately sprung to mind was Devil's Tower (Bear Lodge Butte) in Wyoming and prominently depicted in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and in mash potatoes at a dining room table near you. This laccolithic inspired form made by Kato Toyohisa clearly has the presence of a rugged, craggy and rocky spire created over millions of years and now clearly encased in thick snow and ice but the resulting surface is actually the result of thick feldspar, haiyu, ash glaze and a good degree of temperature fusing clay, materials and the form into this geologically influenced landscape of mass and volume. The surface of this form was extensively carved, even hewn in the wet stages making for an ideal exterior for the added iron, Shino and ash which has muted the overall surface creating a rather inviting and soft appearance that is added in its verticality by the amount of running ash down the piece. It is rather obvious that Kato used the form, glazes and fire to maximum effect creating a pot both sculptural and functional in nature that acts as both landscape and abstract painting fused into three dimensions that leaves the viewer wanting more and being rewarded with each and every visit.