Yasuhisa Kohyama

The skilful works of Yasuhisa Kohyama are inspired by ancient Japanese Shigaraki, Jomon and Yayoi ceramics. Using special Shigaraki clay and the fire of an anagama wood kiln, in the fusion of traditional technique and a modern language of form he creates vessels and sculptures that are not only powerful and innovative but also timelessly beautiful. Characteristic for Kohyama's asymmetric objects is their rough surface - a haptic quality rarely found in contemporary ceramics - as well as an exciting interplay of color, which is created without glaze and solely by the movement of the ash and the position of the object within the kiln. Contents: Foreword - Jack Lenor Larsen Tradition and Innovation in the Work of Yasuhisa Kohyama - Susan Jefferies Kohyama-san and Japanese Ceramic History: Notes on "Suemono" - Michael R. Cunningham Yasuhisa Kohyama: The Art of Ceramics - Yoshiaki Inui Catalog of works Appendix