Hayashi Shigeki

Hayashi Shigeki, from Tajimi City, draws inspiration for his ceramic figures from images from science fiction, animated film and Japanese comic books known as manga?all of which have attracted him since he was a child. He comes from a region of Japan famous for the production of porcelain domestic ware, and he says "In order to express my ideas as art, I have found that porcelain is the best medium. However, I do not think of my works as ceramic pieces." His haunting figures, like this "QP" doll in a space suit, suggest a deeper, hidden narrative within this universally recognizable variation on the traditional Kewpie doll from the west. In 2007 this “QP” received the important Medal of the President of the Chamber of Deputies at the Faenza International Competition for Contemporary Ceramics in Italy.

1995	Municipal Univ. of Shizuoka (BA Hons International Relations)
1997	Ceramics Science course at Tajimi Polytechnic, Gifu pref
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2008	SOFA Chicago Art Osaka 2008, Osaka
2007	Japan Month in Houston: Art Exhibition, contemporary Japanese Arts and Crafts SOFA New York
2005	Hand-formed Sculpture MINO . CANADA Cultural Exchange Initiative (Tajimi-City)
2004	MINO CERAMICS NOW 2004 (organized by Gifu Contemporary Museum of Ceramics) 9th Japan Modern Ceramics Sculpture Exhibition
2003	Future Creative Ceramics（Contemporary Art Space OSAKA）
2001	MINOW vol.1 (Group show, Aoyama, Tokyo)
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2008	"New Tye of Ceramics" Gallery MUSOKAN, Kobe
2006	“New Type Ceramics”, Gallery MUSOKAN, Kobe
2006	“The Entertainment Ceramics 2”, Space OHARA Tajimi-City
2004	“The Entertainment Ceramics”, Space OHARA Tajimi-City
AWARDS
2008	Broze Prize, International Ceramic Competition-MINO
2007	Medal of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Faenza International Competition
2004	Best Sculptural Ceramics Prize “Japan Contemporary Sculptural Ceramics Show” (Toki-City)
1999	Finalist, Shigaraki Pottery Competition (Shigaraki) Honorable Mention from Committee, The Humorous Sculptural Ceramics Contest (Toki City)
1998	Japan Contemporary Sculptural Ceramics award (maquette)
1996	Japan Contemporary Sculptural Ceramics award (maquette)
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
	Museum of Modern Ceramic Art in Gifu, Japan Toki City Council (Gifu pref.) Tokitsu Primary School, Toki City Council (Gifu pref.) Toki Ceramic Laboratory (Toki City, Gifu pref.)