Intern Picks: Furoshiki (Wrapping Cloth) (2018), Tanaka Yū
Written by Sophia Plancich
Published on September 27, 2024
In post-World War II Japan, female artists began to make significant contributions to the traditionally male-dominated field of ceramics. These women brought fresh perspectives and innovative techniques, gaining widespread recognition for their expressive and unconventional approaches.
Among these pioneering figures is Tanaka Yū, a contemporary ceramicist who comes from a lineage of female ceramicists, continuing a rich and historic legacy. In a field long dominated by men, Yū stands out for her ability to create pieces that appear soft and fabric-like, despite being crafted from hard ceramic. This transformation of rigid material into something that feels delicate and ethereal mirrors the unconventional spirit of female ceramicists who reshaped the art form in Japan.
Furoshiki (Wrapping Cloth) at the Lowe Art Museum is a standout example of her craft. Yū’s modern ceramic sculpture is featured in the Arts of Asia gallery. Surrounded by some of the museum’s oldest artifacts, dating back 5,000 years, Yū’s contemporary piece offers a window into modern Japanese ceramics while honoring the deep-rooted traditions passed down through generations. To create her unique forms, Yū uses Shigaraki-blended clay, known for its high plasticity, which allows her to mold coiled, fabric-like shapes. The deep yellow color of the piece is achieved through meticulous pigmenting of the clay, followed by multiple firings to perfect its vibrant hue.
As a third-generation Japanese ceramicist, Yū’s work is a striking testament to the evolving tradition of Japanese ceramics. Her pieces, which were recently showcased at the Art Institute of Chicago in the exhibition Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan, captivate viewers with their cloth-like appearance, sparking curiosity about the objects seemingly ‘wrapped’ within. This air of mystery draws the viewer into a deeper reflection on the purpose and form of the piece.
What intrigues me most about Yū’s work is the sense of mystery and the open-ended interpretation it evokes. Her ceramic forms, such as Wrapping Cloth, give the impression of a fabric-wrapped object, leading me to speculate what lies beneath the surface. The concave half-circle of the piece suggests the shape of a bowl, yet the sculpture remains deliberately ambiguous. The intricacy of each fold and knot in the clay invites further contemplation, with Yū’s signature knots often positioned above the central form, adding to the allure of her work.
Yū’s focus on form, figure, and sculpture aligns with her broader artistic intention: to provoke thought and encourage viewers to question the functionality and meaning of her pieces. Her work is not solely decorative, but serves as a visual puzzle, inviting the audience to engage with its form.
References:
Nishi, M. (2020) Breaking the Ceiling: Japanese Women in Clay, Studio Potter
https://studiopotter.org/breaking-ceiling-japanese-women-clay
“Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan” (n.d.) Art Institute of Chicago, Museum Shop https://shop.artic.edu/products/289047?srsltid=AfmBOooSH0meKUmBXq-_gU6XhVjBHgAqj4zTaXbX4sgsCQ9afNgdhtwh
“Tanaka Yu” (n.d.) Clay in Motion: Women Artist in Contemporary Japanese Ceramics. Issuu. https://issuu.com/daiichiartsltd/docs/women_s_show_2023_july_catalog/s/28163483
“Tanaka Yu” (n.d.) Joan B Mirviss LTD. https://www.mirviss.com/artists/tanaka-yu
Image:
Tanaka Yū, Furoshiki, 2018. Wrapping cloth and glazed stoneware, 12 ¼ x 15 ¼ x 14 ½ in. Courtesy of the Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection of Japanese Ceramics (IL2019.6.18) Photo: Richard Goodbody. Image Courtesy of Joan B Mirviss LTD.
