Robert Jahnke, Ata tuatahi (2016), MDF, paint, neon, one way glass, mirror, electricity. Courtesy the artist. Photograph: Jeff McEwan
Handcrafted Forms: Traditions and Techniques
February 1 — 25, 2018
Long Gallery
Touring exhibition presented by The Japan Foundation
The exhibition comprises of art works which highlight the richness of Japanese handcrafted objects that have developed within the context of daily life, including ceramics, textiles, metalwork, lacquerware, woodcraft, and papermaking.
The exhibition features both utilitarian objects and creative works of art. The artisans and craftspeople from different regions across Japan have used traditional skills to develop creative works.
The Japan Foundation, as a key organization in furthering cultural exchange between Japan and other countries, carries out a wide variety of projects together with over 130 countries in areas ranging from various academic pursuits such as Japanese studies and Japanese language education to the arts, publishing, and audio- visual media. By participating in the international art exhibitions, such as Venice Biennale and Sao Paulo Biennale, and co-organizing or supporting diverse projects, from traditional art to the works of today's leading modern artists, the Japan Foundation has endeavored to introduce Japanese artworks to foreign countries, and to bring Japanese artworks from throughout the world.
As part of its exhibition activities, the Japan Foundation has assembled touring exhibitions from its own collection of artworks and actively sends them to foreign countries. Touring exhibitions may consist of works in areas such as ceramics, photographs, paintings, clay work, and Japanese dolls. Twenty permanent touring exhibitions are on the road throughout the year, appearing in over 100 museums and cultural facilities and, as introductions to the breadth of Japanese culture and art, have been received with rave reviews everywhere.
'Handcrafted Form' introduces two groups of craft objects. Ceramics, textiles, metalwork, lacquer ware, wood and bamboo crafts, paper, etc., have been nurtured within the daily lives of people in every region of Japan. In addition to those crafts of daily living, we have also assembled creative works of art made by craft artists using skills fostered in the workshop environment.
Acknowledgment to Todate Kazuko of the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, who planned and supervised this exhibition, and the many artisans and artists who graciously provided their work.
