Japanese Tea Ware Exhibition
2018.08.16 - 2018.09.16
Each craft piece is a microcosm of life, meticulously refined by the artist's hand. At the pinnacle of contemporary craftsmanship, nothing is more profound than witnessing creators channel a lifetime of dedication into the most intimate of forms. Microcosm in the Palm: Duology presents the latest works of four artists across four distinguished disciplines—shippō-yaki (Japanese cloisonné), lacquerware, glass, and silverware—each piece embodying years of technical mastery and aesthetic contemplation. The exhibition opens with shippō-yaki artist Hiroko Joshin in the first week, followed by lacquer artist Yuma Takahashi, glass artist Yoshiko Minagawa, and silversmith Ryuhei Sako in the second week.
Shippō-yaki, a jewel of Japanese traditional craft, derives its name from the seven sacred treasures of Buddhism, symbolizing a beauty that transcends worldly splendor. This art form involves applying vitreous enamel over gold, silver, or copper bases, fired at approximately 800 degrees Celsius to achieve a luminous transparency. Select pieces undergo meticulous polishing to attain a mirror-like finish. Originating from Chinese cloisonné, shippō-yaki evolved in 16th-century Japan into a distinct artistic expression. Its creation involves a complex process—shaping the metal base, wiring, soldering, enameling, firing, and polishing—resulting in works celebrated for their delicacy, brilliance, and elegance.
The exhibition begins with Hiroko Joshin, who employs the traditional technique of “wire cloisonné” to capture the beauty and whimsy of everyday inspiration. Recently, she has focused on interpreting the visual poetry of Japanese cuisine through the translucency of enamel and the subtle texture of metal, evoking the joy of savoring fine food. In this exhibition, she takes sushi as her theme, skillfully rendering the transparency of sashimi and the vivid hues of ingredients through both two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. Her work not only showcases the radiant qualities of shippō-yaki but also blends playfulness with sophistication, establishing a unique and recognizable voice in contemporary cloisonné art.
The second week, “Ensemble,” introduces three additional mediums. Yuma Takahashi uses lacquer as his medium, striving to integrate this 9,000-year-old tradition into modern life. Specializing in a “color-shifting lacquer” technique, he captures the nuanced interplay of layers and natural scenery, while collaborating across disciplines to explore new possibilities for urushi in the contemporary world. Yoshiko Minagawa devotes herself to flameworking, sculpting delicate miniatures with nothing but a flame—a meditative process she describes as “building eternity through small, deliberate steps.” Her works, imbued with a love for nature and a childlike wonder, reveal profound poetry within a miniature scale. Ryuhei Sako, an award-winning metalsmith formerly known for his mokume-gane creations, presents a series of pure silver sake vessels crafted exclusively for Hong Kong audiences. Each piece, rich with expression, strikes a perfect balance between functionality and sculptural art.
Four mediums, four artistic souls—meeting, intertwining, and resonating within the universe held in a palm. We invite you to experience these timeless landscapes shaped by the hands of master artists, and immerse yourself in the boundless inspiration of this exquisite “Ensemble”.