WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Terra tones

Terra Tones offers a mesmerizing exploration of the dynamic fusion between ceramics and painting, featuring the extraordinary works of five Japanese ceramicists and a visionary Korean painter. This exhibit masterfully weaves a symphony of textures, forms, hues, and diverse ceramic techniques, inviting viewers to embark on a captivating multi-sensory journey through space and colour.

At the heart of the exhibition are the intricate ceramic creations of Rie Aizawa, Kayoko Hoshino, Toru Ichikawa, Sekisui Ito VI (Hidetake Ito), and Yasuko Sakurai, each embodying Japan's rich ceramic heritage. These artists' works stand as a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship passed down through generations, with each piece uniquely reflecting their individual visions and techniques. Deeply rooted in tradition, these Japanese ceramicists are also pioneers of innovation in their field. They continuously push the boundaries of their craft, experimenting with new forms, glazes, and firing techniques. Their work boldly fuses time-honoured methods with contemporary vision, challenging and expanding the possibilities of ceramic art. Hailing from Korea, Yoon Jungeun creates abstract paintings rich in a symphony of colours and textures that beautifully complement these ceramic pieces.

These 6 artists represent a diverse range of techniques and artistic visions, each pushing the boundaries of their craft while maintaining a deep connection to their unique practices and forms. The ceramics showcase the ongoing evolution and innovation in contemporary pottery, while the paintings subtly echo these explorations. Together, they create a harmonious and thought-provoking exhibition that celebrates the rich interplay between tradition and modernity in the arts.

About the Artists

Rie Aizawa's ceramics are a fusion of traditional techniques and contemporary aesthetics, with her pieces showcasing a bold use of color and intricate patterns that seem to dance across the surface. Aizawa's work often incorporates elements of textile design into her ceramic pieces, creating a unique visual language that bridges different artistic disciplines.

Kayoko Hoshino's ceramics celebrate nature, evoking organic forms of plants and flowers. She mixes red and white clay, kneads it into natural shapes, and hollows and textures her pieces with wire tools, straws, and metal implements. Her work, inspired by mountain walks near her studio, captures the essence of nature.

Toru Ichikawa carefully manipulates thin clay strands into intricate, lace-like structures that blur the line between sculpture and functional ware. His light, transparent pieces challenge traditional perceptions of ceramics, showcasing both visual beauty and technical prowess.

Sekisui Ito VI, born Hidetake Ito, is the 15th generation of his family to practice Mumyoi-Yaki, a unique pottery technique from Sado Island, Japan. This tradition uses iron-rich red clay from the island's ancient gold and silver mines. The high iron oxide content of the clay gives the ceramics their distinctive deep red color, and when fired at high temperatures, the clay develops exceptional strength and durability.

Yasuko Sakurai's delicate porcelain forms, with perforated surfaces and intricate contours, invite viewers to explore the interplay of light and shadow, challenging perceptions of interior and exterior spaces. Her unique technique involves connecting mold-cast porcelain tubes with clay and slip, then meticulously carving away the exterior to reveal sculptural contours. This complex process results in dramatic white porcelain forms that engage viewers through the juxtaposition of light and shadow, creating a mesmerizing visual experience. Sakurai's work pushes the boundaries of porcelain, transforming this traditional material into contemporary sculptural forms that seemingly defy gravity.

Yoon Jungeun, a Korean artist based in Singapore, creates canvases rich with a symphony of colors and textures that exude tranquility and meditative qualities. Yoon's paintings provide a counterpoint to tactile ceramics, fostering a dialogue between the two mediums and inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of space and form.