The Expressive Richness of Mingei Ceramics

The exhibition Picturesque Pottery: From Mingei Art to the Present, hosted at the Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art, explores the evolution of Japanese ceramic aesthetics from the Mingei movement to contemporary expressions. Featuring approximately 80 works, the exhibition highlights the expressive richness of ceramics, emphasizing the interplay of form, color, and texture. The Mingei movement, which emerged in Japan in the 1920s, celebrated folk art and traditional craftsmanship, recognizing the beauty and dignity of everyday objects. Founded by figures such as Yanagi Sōetsu, Hamada Shōji and Kawai Kanjirō, it promoted an aesthetic based on simplicity, functionality and honesty of materials. The exhibition features works by Masters like Kawai Kanjirō and Tatsuzō Shimaoka, key representatives of the movement, alongside creations by contemporary artists such as Yō Akiyama, who experiment with new forms and techniques, expanding the boundaries of traditional ceramics. The exhibition offers an overview of Japanese ceramics, showing how this art form has continually evolved while maintaining an ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.