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Touching Stone Gallery  Santa Fe  New Mexico USA

www.touchingstone.com  Email: director@touchingstone.com

 


Keiichi Shimizu
New Vision in Tanba Ceramics
September 1 - 27, 2006

See more of this artist's work: 2004 show, 2006 show, 2008 show, 2012 show, 2013 show

Keiichi Shimizu  清水圭一


Nestled in a beautiful valley along the Shitodani River among towering mountains northwest of Kyoto is the picturesque village Tachikui, the historic center of Tanba* pottery. The rich ferrous soil in this area has supported generations of farmers and artisans since the early Kamakura period (1180-1230). The oldest existing nobori-gama (climbing kiln) in Japan is found here. This serene unpretentious locale is home of some of the most beautiful ceramics that have influenced aesthetic development in Japan and the western world.

Keiichi Shimizu, a 4th generation potter, was born in 1962 in Tanba Tachikui. Following the footsteps of his father, a highly respected potter in the Tanba tradition, he went to Kyoto to study pottery at Kyoto City Vocational School. After graduation in 1984, he launched his productive career in his home town as one of the most innovative ceramic artists. Unlike most other traditional Tanba potters who base their works largely on wheel-thrown vase forms, Shimizu develops many original forms from slab-built surfaces. Shimizu is especially interested in three-dimensional interplay of lines and surfaces, using clay of contrasting colors and textures to accentuate such interactions. His works show a strong minimalist influence, with clean lines and taut surfaces. Curves are used sparingly and purposefully, to introduce tension that seems to hold together the stark geometry. The results are deceptively simple forms that belie great conceptual sophistication and meticulous attention to details, a perfect balance between quiet traditional Japanese aesthetic and dynamic modern interpretation.

To achieve his artistic vision, Shimizu does not shy away from new techniques. He uses both a gas kiln and a traditional wood-firing kiln. Shimizu uses only clay found in the mountains around Tanba. He refines his clay by removing large stones and gravels. His earlier works had a delicate, refined appearance. More recently, he has been using coarser clay, along with a white Tanba clay as a decorative slip, to add texture and characters to his work. The current show features fine examples of his unique style.

*Tanba (Land of the Red Waves) consists of two Japanese characters: 丹 'Tan' (red) and 波 'Ba' (wave). The name is often corrupted as Tamba.

Click on images to view selected pieces
Inquiry/order: director@touchingstone.com, see
Inquiry/Order

Shimizu_Vase_1b.jpg (103943 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_1a.jpg (91243 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_1c.jpg (113472 bytes)
  Vase Form No. 1  
Ceramic w/ fine-line decoration
12.5"h x 8.5"w x 7"d  (3 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Vase_2b.jpg (83375 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_2a.jpg (98081 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_2c.jpg (102588 bytes)
Vase Form No. 2  
Ceramic w/ fine-line decoration  
 10.5"h x 7"w x 6.5"d  (3 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Vase_3e.jpg (94010 bytes)Shimizu_3aShimizu_Vase_3d.jpg (82821 bytes)
Vase Form No. 3
  wood-fired ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  12"h x 5.75"w x 5.75"d  (3 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Box_4b.jpg (110120 bytes)Shimizu_Box_4c.jpg (110956 bytes)Shimizu_Box_4d.jpg (116104 bytes)
 Mizusashi Form No. 4  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  8.5"h x 6.75"w x 6.75"d  (3 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Vase_5a.jpg (71404 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_5d.jpg (72204 bytes)
Vase Form No. 5  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
 9"h x 5"w x 4.5"d  (2 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Vase_6a.jpg (73246 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_6b.jpg (72915 bytes)

Vase Form No. 6
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  9.5"h x 5.5"w x 3"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Vase_7b.jpg (71066 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_7a.jpg (75529 bytes)
Vase Form No. 7  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 10"h x 6"w x 3.5"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Box_10c.jpg (88907 bytes)Shimizu_Box_10b.jpg (77234 bytes)
  Box Form No. 10   
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  6"h x 5"w x 5"d  (2 views)
 Sold
Shimizu_Vase_8a.jpg (60401 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_8b.jpg (54032 bytes)
 Hanging Vase Form No. 8  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  9"h x 3"w x 2"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Vase_9a.jpg (58172 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_9b.jpg (44686 bytes)

Hanging Vase Form No. 9
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 10"h x 3.5"w x 2.5"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Box_11b.jpg (80419 bytes)Shimizu_Box_11a.jpg (88408 bytes)
Box Form No. 11
    Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 5"h x 5.75"w x 4.5"d  (2 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Box_12a.jpg (65292 bytes)Shimizu_Box_12b.jpg (63706 bytes)
Box Form No. 12  
   Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  5.5"h x 4.5"w x 4.5"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Dripper_13b.jpg (23140 bytes)Shimizu_Dripper_13a.jpg (21467 bytes)
 Water Dripper No. 13   
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 4.5"h x 4.5"w x 4.5"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Dripper_14b.jpg (24728 bytes)Shimizu_Dripper_14a.jpg (22366 bytes)
Water Dripper No. 14  
   Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 4.75"h x 4.75"w x 4.75"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Dripper_15a.jpg (37646 bytes)Shimizu_Dripper_15b.jpg (35796 bytes)
Water Dripper No. 15  
   Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 7"h x 3"w x 2.5"d  (2 views)
 Sold

Shimizu_Dripper_16a.jpg (41026 bytes)Shimizu_Dripper_16b.jpg (41219 bytes)
Water Dripper No. 16   
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
 6"h x 3"w x 2"d  (2 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Vase_17a.jpg (20123 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_17b.jpg (16018 bytes)
Vase Form No. 17
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  6"h x 4.5"w x 4"d  (2 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Vase_18a.jpg (16946 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_18b.jpg (15887 bytes)
   Vase Form No. 18  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration 
  5"h x 4"w x 4"d  (2 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Vase_19a.jpg (14486 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_19b.jpg (13640 bytes)
 Vase Form No. 19  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 4.75"h x 4"w x 4"d  (2 views)
Sold

Shimizu_Vase_20a.jpg (16188 bytes)Shimizu_Vase_20b.jpg (14152 bytes)
Vase Form No. 20  
 Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration
  5"h x 4.5"w x 4.5"d  (2 views)
  Sold

Shimizu_Plate_21a.jpg (101353 bytes)
Plate No. 21
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration  
 7" x 7"    Sold

Shimizu_Plate_23a.jpg (106401 bytes)
Plate No. 23
  Ceramic w/ 'white clay' decoration
   7" x 7"    Sold

Shows and Awards
1986  Hyogo Prefectural Art and Craft Show
1989  Governor’s Award, Hyogo Prefectural Art and Craft Show
1991  Japan Modern Art and Craft Show
1992  Solo show, Gallery Totosho, Osaka
         Japan Modern Art and Craft Show
1993  Kinki Division Award, Japan Modern Art and Craft Show
         Japan Craft Show
1994  Recognition Award, Saga Daikakuji Flower & Ceramics Show
         Asahi Craft Show
         Yaki-Shime-ten Open Competition
         NITTEN Show
1995  Solo show, Gallery Ogawa, Kyoto
         Kinki Division Award, Japan Modern Art and Craft Show
         Japan Craft Show
         NITTEN Show  
         Director’s Award, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce
         Daikakuji Award, Daikakuji Flower and Ceramics Show
1996  Solo show, Gallery Kobe Daimaru, Kobe
         NITTEN Show
         Osaka Mayor’s Award, Osaka Craft Show
1997  Solo show, Gallery Osaka Mitsukoshi, Osaka
         NITTEN Show
         Recognition Award, Cha-no-yu Show, Tanabe Museum
1998  Solo show, Gallery Kobe Daimaru, Kobe
         Recognition Award, Cha-no-yu Show, Tanabe Museum
1999  Solo show, Gallery Kobe Daimaru, Kobe
         Japan Craft Show
2000  2-person show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2001  Grand Prize for Hyogo Prefectural Art & Crafts Show
2002  Modern Craft Award, Japan Modern Art & Crafts Show
2004  Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
         Kobe Club, Kobe