Listening to Clay: Conversations with Contemporary Japanese Ceramic Artists

The first book to feature interviews with the most influential living Japanese ceramic artists of the 20th century, exploring their creative processes, inspirations, and contributions to modern and contemporary art. The artists, aged 62 to 92, represent different generations and highlight the cultural shift in pottery-making traditions. The book includes conversations with both artists born into pottery-making families and the first women admitted to the Tokyo University of the Arts, showcasing ingenuity and trailblazing that have shaped contemporary art in Japan and beyond.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Monacelli Press

This groundbreaking volume is the first to present conversations with the most important living Japanese ceramic artists of the last century, figures whose unparalleled skill and creative brilliance have lent them an influence that far transcends national borders. Despite forging illustrious careers and earning international recognition, these sixteen artists have customarily been subsumed by their work.

Ranging in age from sixty-two to ninety-two, they embody the diverse experiences of several generations who have been active and successful from the late 1940s to the present day, a period of massive change.

Now, sharing their stories for the first time, they not only describe their unique processes, inspirations, and relationships with clay, but together trace a seismic cultural shift through a field in which centuries-old but highly exclusionary potting traditions opened to new practitioners and kinds of practices; significantly, the book includes both conversations with artists born into pottery-making families, and the first women admitted to the Tokyo University of the Arts. In the process, Listening to Clay tells a larger story about ingenuity and trailblazing that has shaped contemporary art in Japan and around the world.

Introduction:
The art of ceramics has a rich and storied history in Japan, dating back thousands of years. However, in recent decades, there has been a significant shift in the field, with a growing number of contemporary ceramic artists emerging who are pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and materials. This book aims to explore the stories of these artists and their contributions to the evolution of modern and contemporary craft and art in Japan.

The Artists:
The sixteen artists featured in this book are all highly respected and accomplished in their respective fields. They come from a variety of backgrounds and have different approaches to their work, but they all share a passion for ceramics and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

The Evolution of Modern and Contemporary Craft and Art in Japan:
The book traces the evolution of modern and contemporary craft and art in Japan, from the early 20th century to the present day. It explores the influence of traditional Japanese pottery and other craft traditions on contemporary ceramic artists, as well as the ways in which these artists have responded to and reinterpreted these traditions.

The Artists' Influence:
The artists featured in this book have had a significant influence on the field of ceramics in Japan and beyond. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and their innovative techniques and materials have inspired a new generation of ceramic artists.

Conclusion:
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of modern and contemporary craft and art in Japan. It provides a unique insight into the lives and work of sixteen exceptional ceramic artists, and showcases their contributions to the field. By exploring the stories of these artists, we can gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of Japan and the ways in which it is being transformed by contemporary art.

Weight: 1544g
Dimension: 216 x 282 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781580935920