Kuraoka Says to Know: Goro Suzuki

There isn't much I can say about Goro Suzuki except that he is probably the most famous Japanese potter, which is odd becuase you can't really find information about him very easily.  He is known for his contemporary work in the traditional Japanese style of Oribe which is characterized by the flowing green glazes and strong geometric illustrations.  I really like some of his work, like these stacked boxes, as well as some of his shino tea bowls, and while I appreciate his style conceptually, overall I'm just not the biggest fan.

Has anyone seen his work in person? Or know more about him? Please share. :)

(images via Lacoste Gallery)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Akio Takamori

Akio Takamori is an incredibly influential ceramic sculptor who teaches at University of Washington in Seattle.  This Japanese-American artist has been sculpting figurative pieces with an illustrative quality for over 25 years.  I think his most recognizable signature is the outlining of the surface that echoes Japanese brush painting or calligraphy and incites a unique discussion about dimension in sculpture.  This two-dimensional aspect of his work is incredibly illustrated by the photographs which accompany some of the figures above.  Notice how easily his three-dimensional work translates into a two-dimensional work of equal substantiality.

Kuraoka Says to Know: Robert Sperry

Robert Sperry... I was gonna brush him off as just another 'plate maker' from the sixties. But I dunno, these are pretty cool. I love the red one in the middle. And the textural quality seems pretty neat, too.

(images via Howard House, ArtSlant, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Kurt Weiser

 

 

 

 

Kurt Weiser is crazy talented.  I haven't even stepped anywhere close to the world of china paints... I don't have the patience that takes.  Thank goodness Weiser does because his pieces are so wonderful!

(images via Bellevue Arts, Ferrin Gallery, American Craft Magazine; portrait via Arizona State University)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Sergei Isupov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sergei Isupov is a Russia-born artist who comes from a very artistic family. Both his father and brother are respected painters and his mother a respected ceramic artist in the area where he grew up.  Isupov had made an international name for himself, however, with his boldly illustrated sculptures that often tell reflect his own biographical stories.  He now lives and works in Massachusetts.

(images via Santiago Gallery, Chronogram, and artist's own website)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Michael Lucero

 

 

 

I actually really like Lucero's work.  The abstraction of shape, the violent use of color,  the sneaky imagery... it all adds up to sculptures that I could look at for hours.  The artist pulls his inspiration from across many cultures including Native American, African, and European. Lucero was born and raised in my very own sunny California where he still makes art today.  He is both a Humboldt State and University of Washington Alum.

(images via Duane Reed Gallery, Northern Clay Center, artnet Magazine, and Rockland Center for the Arts; artist portrait via Carnegie Magazine)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Kate McBride

We're goin' all out girly today, I guess. Kathryn McBrides sculptures also delve into the question of modern femininity. McBride hails from my very own SFSU, where she earned both her BA and MA in the mid seventies. I want to like these sculptures, their content is interesting and funny, but visually they just took kinda dumb to me. Like bad kitchy figurines that I wouldn't even bother with at a thrift store. I know this is kinda harsh but it's true. And I don't like clowns. I do like the whole spider woman idea and the pig-drawn carriage, though. Ugh, it just reminds me of all the crap they are still pushing us to do at State- boring figurative work and trompe l'oiel. I'm over it.

(images via ULLABENULLA; artist portrait via Cabrillo College)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Esther Shimazu

Ooooh! We have a workshop today with Esther. and I am sooooo excited. Actually the workshop isn't until next Tuesday.  But I'm still completely stoked! Isn't her work amazing? Esther captures the essence of humor and lightheartedness so immaculately in her sculptures. Plus I love the details like the dimples and, forgive me if this is a little pervy, but the breasts and vulvas! Oh my goodness they are so voluptuous and joyful.

(images via artist's own website)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Annabeth Rosen

A graduate of Alfred and Cranbrook, Rosen is a professor of ceramics at University of California, Davis. Ugh, so awesome. I want to know where I can see more.

(images via Gallery Paule Anglim)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Ron Nagle

“Well it’s just a fucking pot, you know. But it’s much more influenced by painting.”

I love Ron Nagle. He is an incredible abstract ceramic artist and his bold use of color is always inspiring. He also has developed quite an interesting array of textures and shapes over the course of his career. Nagle went to school at my very own San Francisco State University, has taught at UC Berkeley, SF Art Institute, and California College of the Arts, and has been teaching at Mills College in Oakland for over 30 years.

A few great Nagle resources for you: video of Nagle with long time friend Don Ed Hardy, an article from Art Lies, and another video/article from KQED's Spark* series.

(images via Frank LLoyd Gallery, Rena Bransten Gallery, and ArtNet)

Kuraoka Says to Know: Richard Shaw

Richard Shaw is part of the California Funk pack. He is a master (if not the master) of trompe l'oiel sculpture. His techniques are laborious and exact, yet his artwork emerges looking casual and playful and full of humor. He seems like neat guy, too. Watch this quirky ol' video to get a glimpse of the artist at work.

P.S. he studied at U.C. Davis, San Francisco Art Insitute, and Alfred NY.

(images via Frank LLoyd Gallery and artist's own website)