Kaneshige Kōsuke, Vase, “From the Sea” Bizen

Kaneshige Kōsuke, born in 1943, comes from a prestigious lineage of potters in the Bizen region. His father, Kaneshige Tōyō, has been designated a Living National Treasure. Kaneshige Kōsuke inherited this rich heritage but has developed a distinct approach that distinguishes him as a contemporary artist.

From childhood, Kōsuke was introduced to traditional ceramic techniques by his father, which enabled him to master the basics of Bizen techniques. However, unlike his predecessors who focused primarily on traditional utilitarian forms, Kōsuke sought to push the boundaries, incorporating sculptural elements and exploring bolder textures and forms. His works are characterized by a complex texture and a rich color palette, resulting from the effects of wood-fired kiln firing and the natural glazes that form during the process.

The vase presented here is part of his series entitled "From the Sea" produced between 1999 and 2015. This series, with its unique approach, evokes the image of rusty warships, as if they had sunk and been ravaged by time and the sea. The protruding and sharp elements emerging from the vase recall twisted pieces of metal, but also the tentacles of marine watches, while the irregular texture of the surface, with its furrows and crevices, suggests wear and corrosion.

The entire surface is marked by irregular streaks and patterns that catch the light unevenly, reinforcing the idea of ​​ruin and degradation.

Throughout his career, Kōsuke was recognized for his ability to reinvent the classic forms of Bizen pottery while remaining faithful to the spirit of this tradition. His works have been acquired by many renowned museums, including the Suntory Museum of Art.

39 x 38 x 28 cm approximately