
Masterworks of Modern Japanese Porcelain
Masterworks of Modern Japanese Porcelain
Featured Object
KONDŌ TAKAHIRO (b. 1958)
“Black and White Drop” monolith
2005-2006
Glazed porcelain with "silver mist" overglaze with black glass top
31 1/4 x 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.
SOLD
The zigzag geometric patterned vertical sculpture was exhibited in “Shinra Bansho (All Things in Nature)” at Tenmaya Gallery in Okayama, Hiroshima, and Fukuyama in 2006.
After returning from his studies in Edinburgh, Kondo had a show entitled, "White Tranquility" at Takashimaya Gallery in Kyoto in 2004, which focused on items made of white porcelain, white silver drops, and glass. Afterwards, he began to make a series of black-and-white works; this sculpture was made in 2005. The black color is the Kondō family's natural asbolite (gosu).
The artist says of this sculpture: “I still love this one.”
Published: Te no shisō /Thoughts of Hands. Kyoto: Kahitsukan, Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art, 2017, pp. 28-35.
Kondō Takahiro is celebrated for his "silver mist" (gintekisai) overglaze, which creates a remarkable effect of droplets beading on the surface of his glazed porcelains, as if after a rainstorm. Born in Kyoto to a family of respected sometsuke (cobalt blue-and-white porcelain) masters, Kondō took on the challenging family tradition of porcelain but quickly developed his own style through tireless experimentation. His signature and patented "silver mist" overglaze – an amalgam of silver, gold, platinum, and glass frit – was achieved directly as a result of his drive to continually evolve and challenge himself.
Kondō's principal theme for many years has been water – not only its physical forms, such as rain, ice, steam, and mist, but also its conceptual aspects as a source of life, purifier, and natural resource.
Of his most recent works, Kondō says: "My work embodies the concept of 'utsuroi no bigaku' or the art of impermanence. It is my intent to evoke that beauty found in the ephemeral through the waves and droplets on my surfaces that represent the cycle of nature, purification, and rebirth."
Available Works
To view the digital catalog, click here
Though we cannot present our Winter Show exhibition for you in The Park Avenue Armory, as in years past, we have nevertheless installed the entire show in our Madison Avenue gallery. We welcome you to see these artworks in person, and to reconnect with us in our 'booth' as we have every previous January, by making an appointment. Please contact us at director@mirviss.com or call 212-799-4021.