Fukumoto Fuku, born 1973, porcelain biscuit 2017
The title of the new exhibition at Musée Guimet is strange, “Touch Fire, Women ceramists in Japan”, but the result is wonderful and even if I don’t agree on today’s constant attitude of singularizing women artists over men, the story behind the show is interesting. It is putting forward three generations of women ceramists, who were at last allowed to use fire for their porcelain or sandstone sculptures in 1946. Until then only men were ceramists in Japan. The Arts university of Kyoto opened to women just after the war, then Tokyo followed in 1952. MNAAG has been steadily acquiring their works since 1995. Two of these artists live in France, Katsumata Chieko and Futamura Yoshimi. Hosono Hitomi whose Zenmai (fern) scupture is one of the most elaborate, lives in London.
The curator fo the show, Claire Bettinelli
They have studied in Copenhagen or in London, are considered as Living treasure like Ono Hakuko, are inspired by the celadon of the past like Miura Koheiji, or use pure white porcelain like Fukumoto Fuku. One thing is certain,, they all are incredibly talented and the great advantage of discovering them at Musée Guimet (as opposed to a contemporary gallery) is that you can visit the rest of the collection afterwards.
Futamura Yoshimi, Rebirth, 2017 is inspired by trees
Ogawa Machiko has a piece in sandstone but she started with plates. She is presenting here “Cristals and remembrances” which looks like an archeological vestige. Koike Shoko shows “Shell Vessel” an extraordinary sculpture with a translucide blue stain which reminds us of a shell.
Koke Shako, “Shell Vessel” 2019, glazed sandstone from Shigaraki
The exhibition is on at MNaag until October 3.
Hosono Hitomi, Fern, 2016
From June 9, Ceramics now, the show within Galerie Italienne at 15 rue du Louvre will feature Florian Daguet-Bresson‘s choice of ceramics until July 23.
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6 Comments on “Musée Guimet and its women ceramists are a winner”
Beautiful, poetic works of art!
Thank you Laure for your focus.
Great that you highlighted also the plight that women face especially in Japan which discriminates strongly against women to the extent of illegally changing medical exam marks .
In an ideal world exhibitions focusing on women would be history if only the art world really changed and allowed more than 10% into their collections .
Some glorious work Laure.
encore une découverte, bravo
Tellement beau ! Merci de signaler cette exposition. Si belle et si rare.
Sans toi je n’en aurai jamais entendu parler. Lol
Je vois ton blog seulement maintenant …tombé une nouvelle fois de plus dans mes spams…très contente de voir Yoshimi Futamura à l’honneur! Thank you