CURRENT EXHIBITION

TARO TABUCHI: YOHEN HAKUJI 

May 2 - June 15, 2024

The opening reception with the artist will be held on Thursday, May 2nd, from 6-8pm. 

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SEIZAN Gallery New York is pleased to present Taro Tabuchi: Yohen Hakuji, opening May 2nd through June 15th, 2024. The opening reception with the artist will be held on Thursday, May 2nd, from 6-8pm. 

Taro Tabuchi, a forerunner of contemporary Japanese ceramics, presents nearly 30 new works in “Yohen Hakuji (窯変白磁)” for his first solo exhibition in the US.  “Yohen” means kiln mutation or kiln effects, a technique to create unpredicted patterns during the firing process. “Hakuji” is a white porcelain made of mineral-based clay, a style originated in 6th century China. While Hakuji was historically developed in the pursuit of pure white, smooth surface porcelain, Tabuchi explores “Yohen” on them, in wild yet serene patterns by mastering a wood-fire kiln. 

Firing is a central part of Tabuchi’s creative process. In 2007, the artist hand-built “Ana-Gama,” a single chamber kiln in his studio, located in the mountain of Takamatsu. Rather than using a common gas or electric kiln, Tabuchi commits himself to a primitive, labor-intensive and complex process of wood-burning. This process includes lumbering from a local forest and preparing logs with his own hands. Each firing takes about 100 hours. Over a period of several days, with very little sleep, the artist watches the fire. As a result of various reactions between fire, ashes and glaze in the kiln, dramatic images emerge on pure white surface of the material. 

In addition to large vessels and tea bowls, Tabuchi has created a series of sculptural pieces for the exhibition. A disk shape piece is one of the centerpieces of the show, which cracks and creates abstract patterns from the firing, powerful and tranquil. Departing from the usual utilitarian purpose aspects of ceramics, Tabuchi explores new possibilities of this craft with a thousand years of history. 

Taro Tabuchi was born 1977 in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefectures in Japan. After studying Pottery Making at Osaka University of Arts, Tabuchi taught at a ceramic school for three years, and set up his own studio in the mountains of Takamatsu City. Since the completion of a wood-fire kiln in 2007, Tabuchi has been devoted to exploring his unique style of “Yohen Hakuji” ceramics. From early on in his career, Tabuchi’s works have been part of exhibitions in the leading venues in Japan for contemporary Japanese ceramics. His works have also shown in the US, Turkey, and Australia. Tabuchi’s works are held in various public and private collections. including Minneapolis Institute of Art, Takamatsu Art Museum, Shioe Museum of Art, Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum and Takahashi Collection.