KAWABATA Kentaro

artist statement

Artist Statement

KAWABATA Kentaro begins forming his sculptural and functional pieces from a flat sheet of porcelain clay into which he embeds pieces of colored glass. When fired, the melted glass creates subtle colorations and patterns on the matte glazed surfaces similar to brush strokes of water colors on paper. The unique qualities of his work are also enhanced by his improvisational approach to forms and surface textures which might express sensations and feelings of his everyday life—a momentary seasonal influence or even some small pleasure or indignity.

KAWABATA began exhibiting his works composed of porcelain and melted glass shortly after graduation from the Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center in 2000. Although this work received enthusiastic response, many people were initially confused by this odd fusion of porcelain clay and glass. To some, the contorted vessel forms with streaks and splashes of melted red glass reminded them of spattered blood. However, these were the pieces that many collectors remembered long after seeing them and those that have put KAWABATA in the forefront of promising young Japanese ceramists.

Although at first glance KAWABATA's pieces a may appear to bear little relation to traditional Japanese aesthetics, in many ways they are firmly rooted within tradition. For examples, while expressing a love of nature flower arrangements, bonsai, and rock gardens are also examples of carefully calculated, manipulated and sculpted beauty. There is in KAWABATA's approach to his work also another Japanese aesthetic value that is reflected in the ways in which the Japanese have attempted to mold their life styles around the passage of the seasons over long periods of time. KAWABATA describes this as accommodation. This approach has produced a strong resonance between his creative process and the world in which he lives. His challenging body of work to date can be described as bold, yet not forced.

Many established Japanese artists in various media describe KAWABATA Kentaro's unusual talent as exceptional; but this mysteriously quiet young artist shys away from praise and discussing his work extensively. He seems interested solely in touching his clay to see what emerges.

profile

Profile

solo exhibitions

Major Solo Exhibitions

group exhibitions

Major Group Exhibitions

awards

Awards

collections

Collections

• Mashiko Ceramic Museum
• City of Toki