May 17 to 19, 2018
Opening reception: 6pm to 8pm May 17, 2018

二階堂明弘　個展
刻印陶胎漆器
　
５月１７、１８、１９日　２０１８年
オープニングレセプション　５月１７日　６時から８時

At 40 years old, Akihiro Nikaidou is in great demand now. Having exhibitions in Hong Kong and Taiwan, he is a popular artist even in Paris. This is his second exhibition at Sara in NY after just a year.
In Japan he leads the movement “Tou-ism” (Ceramic-ism) and actively helps to make young artists known to the public.
This coming November, a huge exhibition is scheduled at the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse. I imagine it is not easy, while making ceramics, he is planning and conducting events with people. He must be moved by a sense of mission. Just like his stamped ceramic pieces, he carries forward his work patiently with courtesy.

A few days ago I received his new "stamped ceramic coated with lacquer" piece. It was a beautiful shape tea bowl. After brushed white glaze on the top of the popular stamped surface, it was fired right before the glaze melt, and then polished to make decorative patterns. Then, it was given a coat of lacquer and fired again at a low heat. Such a moisturized texture I have never seen; the stamped pattern just like an ancient message underneath the layers of glaze and lacquer, what a beautiful shape it is. Several stamped ceramic coated with lacquer pieces are expected to be at the exhibition. I hope you come to see his newest pieces.

二階堂明弘、40歳になった彼は売れっ子陶芸家。
香港や台湾などでも展覧会をこなしパリでも人気の作家だ。
今回はちょうど一年ぶりの2回目のニューヨーク、サラでの個展。


彼は日本で陶ismというムーブメントを牽引し若手作家を世に出す活動をしている。11月には横浜赤煉瓦倉庫の会場で大きな展覧会があるそうだ。忙しく作陶する中、人をまとめたり企画運営を手がけて行くのは大変な事だろうと想像できるが、なにかしらの使命感のようなものを形にしているのだろう。彼の刻印の作品のようにコツコツと丁寧に根気よく進めているのだろう。


先日、刻印陶胎漆器という新作をいただいた。美しい形の茶碗だ。
人気の刻印を施したサーフェスに白い釉をかけ、溶ける寸前まで焼き、紋様を研ぎ出して、漆をかけて低温で焼き上げる。
今まで見たことのないしっとりとした質感、重なった漆と釉薬の奥に古代のメッセージのように施された刻印、美しい形。


この展覧会でもいくつかの陶胎漆器を展示させていただける事になっている。最新の二階堂明弘作品を是非ご覧になっていただきたい。