Yo Vase by Kusuo Baba, Second-Generation Shinemon, Shinemon Kiln [146201]

[size]
Width: 18.5 cm / Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 7.3 in / Height: 9.3 in

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This is a work by Kusuo Baba, the second-generation master of Shinemon Kiln, one of the leading kilns of Arita ware. A work in which the artist's vision seems to dissolve into the universe itself.

Clay is embraced by the extreme heat of the kiln, undergoing a silent transformation in which even its boundaries seem to melt away completely. What emerges appears almost like a crystallization of ancient memories, beyond the limits of human understanding.

Deep black and vivid crimson melt, flow, and overlap across the surface. The resulting landscape transcends the physical boundaries of a vessel, evoking the primal energy of magma deep within the Earth. Depending on the viewing angle, complex shades of black, crimson, brown, and white emerge, revealing the powerful expressions created by fire and clay.

The title "Yo," meaning "to melt" or "to dissolve," refers not only to the way the glazes appear to melt into one another. It also expresses a broader artistic vision in which the boundaries between matter and fire, the artist and nature, and even the work and the viewer seem to dissolve. In a modern world overflowing with information, this work invites the viewer to reconnect with a deeper sense of inner stillness. It is a form of spiritual art that quietly restores one's sense of balance and returns the mind to a state of tranquility. Whether used as a vase for flowers or displayed as an art object on its own, this piece brings a powerful and contemplative presence to any space.


[Potter Profile]
Kusuo Baba
(The second-generation head of the Sh inemon Kiln)
Member of Nitten / Councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association / Vice President of the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Association / Director of the Saga Art Association

I create works that inherit the tradition of Arita ware while align ing with contemporary sensibilities. I specialize in the Yohen technique, which skillfully manipulates glazes, add ing an element of serendipity to each piece as it reaches completion, thereby express ing a mystical beauty.

[Kusuo Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1952
1976: Jo ined the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research institute, where he learned the basics of ceramics and began research ing glazes.
1980: Jo ined Maemon Kiln and began creat ing pottery, cont inu ing his research on glazes to this day.
1981: Received strong guidance from Ryuzan Aoki, a recipient of the Order of Culture.
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei." Subsequently, he has been selected 20 times.
2004: Exhibited "Haruka wo N fl ozomu" and "Umibe no Uta" at the Arita Pottery Exhibition in Germany.
2010: Held the "Encounter ing Colors at Ogurayama" exhibition at Jojakkoji Temple in Kyoto.
2014: Appo inted as a judge for the 53rd Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
2021: Elected as a councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association.

[Ma in Awards]
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei."
2000: Awarded the Grand Prize and the 50th Anniversary Special Prize at the Saga Prefecture Exhibition for "Haruka na Sazanami."
2003: Received the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the 100th Anniversary Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition for "Umibe no Uta."
2005: Received the Contemporary Craft Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Reimei-05."
2008: Received the Contemporary Craft Full Member Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Kyoku-08(1)."
2011: Received the Director's Award at the 50th Anniversary Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition for "Sazanami no Uta."
2012: Won the Special Prize at the Nitten exhibition for "Haruka na M ine."
2012: Received the Grand Prize and the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition for "Sankei."

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