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Vessel in closed form

1990s

American, 1922 - 2011

Japanese-American Toshiko Takaezu was a leading artist in the U.S. who envisioned organic, often figurative shapes, and earth-worn surfaces as sculpture—thereby resisting convention in a move beyond functional ceramic pots and bowls. In her handling of material, she expresses a poetic sensibility and sensuality in her work. Of her practice, the New York Times wrote: “Takaezu blended the expressive bravura of painters like Jackson Pollock and Franz Kline with the calm, meditative quality of traditional Japanese pottery…”

Stoneware with glaze

17 x 10 x 10in. (43.2 x 25.4 x 25.4cm)

Gift of the artist

2009.12.5

Provenance: acquired directly from artist's studio

Not currently on view

Resources

Published Referenceslike works published in Shields, Scott, Echoes of the Earth: Ceramics by Toshiko Takaezu. Sacramento: Crocker Art Museum, 2007 and Yake, J. Stanley, Toshiko Takaezu: The Earth in Bloom. NY: MEAM Publishing, 2005.Artist/object bibliography:

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