photo: SUEMASA Mareo
Vessel, twin birds design, Ohi-amber glaze
| Artist | OHI Toyasai (Chozaemon X / Toshiro) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1998 |
| Material/ Technique | pottery |
| Size/ Duration | H41.5 × φ28.5cm |
| Copyright Notice | © OHI Toyasai (Chozaemon X / Toshiro) |
| Year of acquisition/ donation | 2000 |
| Description | Born in Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan in 1927. Lives and works there. Ohi Toyasai, studied casting at the Tokyo Fine Arts School (now the Tokyo University of the Arts), then further studied ceramics at the Kyoto Imperial Ceramic Experimental Institute. The drawing and modeling skills he learned while a student were increasingly put to use in his ceramics, where his inspiration and skill at producing vivid line drawings with animal and plant motifs were combined with techniques of handwork, coil pots, and carving, introducing new concepts into the aesthetics of ceramic wares. Nevertheless, his work conveys a strong sense that his deeply-poetic subjects and his unceasing exploration of the potential for new forms are firmly rooted in Ohi creativity. While the forms are simple and primitive, the use of lines in the pattern is understated and possesses both skill and beauty. "Vessel, twin birds design, Ohiamber glaze" combines the motif of the bird, which has been greatly loved from time immemorial, and a view of Utatsusanroku. It includes a deeply emotional depiction of the traditional ‘hiyoku no tori’ – an imaginary pair of birds, each with one eye and one wing and always flying together. This ornamental vessel makes use of amber glaze, one of the defining characteristics of the Ohiyaki style. Amber glaze is such that its thickness directly influences the depth and gloss of its color. This work showcases skills that can be acquired only through years of training. "Vessel, bird design, Ohi-ash glaze" is made of red clay. Leaving aside a circle, Mishima style engravings are made around the pot, and red overglaze painted accents are added. The birds engraved inside the circle have been depicted with single lines for their bodies but with several lines for their heads and wings to successfully convey their boisterous movement. |
NOTES
This Collection Data page contains the works and materials in the collection of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, as of April 1, 2018.
Artists are listed alphabetically by artist’s surname.
Works and materials by the same artists are listed according to the date of the work in principle.
Works whose dates are unidentified are listed at the end of each item. Some works are not listed according to the date of work due to their relations.
The data of works and materials are listed in order of title, production year, material/technique/form, dimensions, donor’s name, copyright holder and credit for photograph.
Dimensions are given by height (H) x width (W) in centimeters for plane work, and height (H) x width (W) x depth (D) in cm for 3-D work. Diameter (Ø) is used for circular work.
For the name of country or city, the name currently used in English is listed in principle.