Japanese pottery exhibition opens

The Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam, in association with the Japan Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, opened an exhibition themed ‘Japanese Pottery: The Rising Generation from Traditional Japanese Kilns’ in Ho Chi Minh City, on October 14.

Illustrative image.

The exhibition displays works by 35 artisans from seven major traditional kiln sites in Japan. Japanese artisans have different orientations, including those who continue to follow the age-old family tradition of pottery production whilst also applying contemporary art techniques to their products, and those who seek new approaches to create individualistic works.

The theme of the exhibition focuses on "vessels", endeavouring to show how ceramic artists understand the function of vessels.

Through the works, visitors will learn more about the present situation and the future development trend of Japanese traditional pottery.

The free exhibition will run until October 30 at the Exhibition Hall of the Museum of Ho Chi Minh City - No. 92 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

The ceramic arts flourish in Japan as in few other countries. Not only is this country home to an immense number of potters and ceramic artists, it also has a large population highly knowledgeable about and appreciative of pottery. Perhaps it is the distinct four seasons, the mild climate, and diverse terrain that have given Japanese a special affection for utensils made from earth or clay, a basic natural material.

With this broad support base, Japanese pottery displays amazing variety. In addition to the commercial production of pottery-making for practical, daily use, individual artists pursue original work of tremendous variety. Some make mainly vessels for practical use, others combine creativity with use of traditional techniques and shapes; still others, unconcerned with practicality, seek new and experimental forms with clay.

(Source: NDO)