The Nippon Club Special Webinar
“Traditional Japanese Crafts: Lacquerware and Ceramics”
Left： Atsuko Nakajima, SAUDADE, 2016Lacquer, gold leaf, silver leaf, abalone shell, white butterfly shell, Linen, wood panel / 57.48 x 44.10 in
Right： Hiroyuki Onuki, Tea bowl with six gourds design, 2020
4.52 x 4.52 x 2.95 in
We will welcome Ms. Atsuko Nakajima, a lacquer artist, and Mr. Hiroyuki Onuki, a ceramic artist, to talk about techniques and works in their respective fields. Both are exhibiting artists at The Nippon Club WEB Gallery. The lecture hours are scheduled to be approximately 20 to 25 minutes each, and the Q& A time will be 5 to 10 minutes each.
Topics 1: “What is lacquer?” by Atsuko Nakajima
“I thought a bowl made of synthetic resin was lacquerware until I was 28. Now I create my works with lacquer, but until I was 28, I was not interested in crafts at all, let of lacquer. For some reason, I’m being wielded by a creature called “lacquer,” and I listen humbly to the voice of “lacquer.” “What is lacquer?” I would be happy if I could talk about a part of the charm of lacquer captivation me.”
Topics 2: “About Kasama Ware” by Hiroyuki Onuki
Kasama ware is the characteristic pottery of the Kasama City area of Ibaraki Prefecture. Along with the nearby town of Mashiko, Kasama is known as one of the significant ceramics production centers of the Kanto region. Though it is a governmentally recognized traditional craft today, the path leading to this status was long and winding. Hiroyuki Onuki, one of the most up-and-coming modern ceramic artists of Kasama ware, who has been expanding his activities in Japan and overseas in recent years, will introduce “Kasama ware” and his works.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
7 pm – 8 pm (EDT)
Admission: Free
(A suggested donation for Let’s Support COVID-19 Fighters!)
Capacity: First 500 people
＊The event will be held in Japanese, but The Nippon Club will be providing real-time subtitles in English through Wordly.
＊This event is an online event via Zoom. The actual event is not being held at The Nippon Club building.
Guest Profile
Atsuko Nakajima A lacquer artist
Graduate School of Tokyo University of Fine Arts. Takaoka Junior college of Toyama University Apprentice of lacquer artist Tsunenobu NAMIKI. Participating in the “Japan Contemporary Craft Artists Association.” Exhibited at Nitten every year since 1989 to date and held 29 Solo Exhibitions at Mitsukoshi, Seibu, Sogo, Seizann Gallery, and other locations.
The Nippon Club WEB Gallery introduces Atsuko Nakajima’s lacquer artworks produced from mature techniques and unique sense. Ms. Nakajima also makes lacquerwares and accessories that can be used every day. Still, the WEB gallery introduces fantastic flat works full of inspiration from nature and the dynamism of life using traditional Raden techniques.
▶︎To view Atsuko Nakajima’s artwork, please visit the Nippon Club Web Gallery.
Hiroyuki Onuki A ceramic artist
Born in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, in 1961. After graduating from the Department of Design at Tokyo Zokei University, he worked as a graphic designer before training in pottery at the Ceramics Guidance Center in Ibaraki Prefecture. In 1995, he opened his kiln independently in Kasama City. When the clay is cut out into a plate shape, the technique is made, and a paste shape is created. First, the blueprint is drawn, and the color, arrangement, picture, etc., are decided and molded. The colorful flower motif expressed by the technique of line inlay and color painting is revived vividly by deformed and brings out the form of the vessel. In addition to working in solo, special and group exhibitions in Japan and overseas, he is also involved in producing ceramic walls in public facilities.
The sharp line vessels are impressively painted with flower motifs such as water lilies, peonies, and mountain cherry blossoms. All the colors, arrangements, and patterns are exquisitely thought out and become one work. Mr. Onuki’s sake cups and tea wares, which have a style that combines Japanese tradition and modern, are introduced at The Nippon Club WEB Gallery.
▶︎To view Hiroyuki Onuki’s artwork, please visit the Nippon Club Web Gallery.
For inquiries, please contact at (gallery@nipponclub.org)
