Japanese art is also traditionally in the hands of men. The Art Institute of Chicago is now presenting 36 Japanese women artists whose work has not yet been adequately recognized. The exhibition Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan brings together 40 extraordinary ceramic pieces that are at the highest technical level and bursting with innovation. Over the last 50 years, Japanese female ceramic artists have developed an astonishing quality that visitors can now experience in Chicago. The show will run for almost six months: from December 16, 2023 to June 3, 2024.
The exhibition brings together established artists from the beginnings of the movement such as Mishima Kimiyo (*1932), Tsuboi Asuka (*1932) and Ogawa Machiko (*1946) with younger representatives such as Konno Tomoko (*1965), Aoki Katsuyo (*1972) and Oishi Sayaka (*1979). What their work has in common is that it explores and expands the boundaries of ceramic art. In order to attract attention, they avoid traditionally feminine themes such as flowers as much as possible and focus on "masculine" geological forms. If flowers do appear in their oeuvres, they are presented in a highly unconventional way.
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, there will be a talk with the artists Hosono Hitomi (*1978) and Yamaguchi Mio (*1992) about the exhibition. The talk starts at 2 pm and requires prior registration.
