It is my great pleasure to host a solo exhibition
of works by Sueharu Fukami, the most famous
Japanese ceramicist working today.
Over twenty years ago I found my first Fukami
piece in Kyoto, a vase whose sleek lines and
beautiful glaze fascinated me (catalog nr. 18).
Four years later, in 1991, I met Sueharu Fukami
for the first time at the wedding ceremony of my
brother, who married the artist’s niece. Since then
I have kept in close contact with him, seeing his
works in his home as well as at museums, galleries,
and private collections, and adding gradually
to my collection. This exhibition—the inaugural
exhibit at our new gallery location in New York—
marks the first time that I show my appreciation
publicly.
After our relocation in September 2006 from Germany to New York, this year is marked by another, shorter move from 83rd Street to our new gallery on East 74th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues. We look forward to seeing you at our new and convenient location.
I am delighted to present our third catalog, which again features selections from my five specialties within Japanese art: screens, paintings, bamboo baskets, ceramics and lacquers. All items presented here were made, not with export in mind, but rather for the domestic market and in accordance with Japanese taste and aesthetics. Most of the objects are connected with one or more of the four classical arts: the ways of tea, flowers, calligraphy, and incense (Sadō, Kadō, Shodō, and Kōdō).
Two years have passed since we had the privilege of introducing the art of Yamazaki Mushū to the West at the 2006 International Asian Art Fair in New York. Since then, his fine aesthetic sense, technical skill, and attention to detail have found wide admiration internationally.
This year’s selection, spanning 13 years of his work from 1995 to 2007, shows his early mastery and illustrates his continued dedication to making art objects of the highest quality by traditional methods using the finest materials. Coming from an area with a long heritage in lacquer art and inspired by earlier artists, Mushū builds on these traditions and adds surprising and innovative details.
It is with great pleasure that I present further works by Yamazaki Mushū in this third collection, to be introduced at the 2008 International Asian Art Fair.
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