Shimaoka Pottery at Pucker Gallery

BOSTON, MASS. – Pucker Gallery will host its third exhibition of new works by the world renowned Japanese potter Tatsuzo Shimaoka, a Living National Treasure of Japan since 1996.

The exhibition will be presented under the honorary patronage of the Japanese Consul General of Boston.

Shimaoka carries on the tradition of mingei (folk craft) pottery begun by his teacher Shoji Hamada a generation before him. The essence of this tradition emphasizes the art of the people for the people, and hence, the beauty of use. It reflects the inherent fusion of spirituality, function, and the esthetic quality of Japanese culture.

Andrew Maske, associate curator of Asian, Oceanic and African art and culture at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., writes in his introduction to the exhibition catalogue, “Mr Shimaoka affirms through his work the universality of the mingei idea, using not only his characteristic rope impression technique for which he was awarded the title of Living National Treasure, but also ship inlay technique from Korea; salt glazing from Europe; object shapes from China, England and elsewhere; overglaze decoration from Okinawa, and many other even more subtle influences derived from various cultures throughout human history. It is this great balance between form, texture and glazing/decoration that is the essence of his pottery.”

Shimaoka’s work is in museum collections around the world, including the Japanese Folk Art Museum (Nihon Mingeikan), the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Despite the number of public and private collections in which his work is represented, gallery exhibitions of his work outside of Japan are rare.

The exhibition will run from September 9 through October 4 at Pucker.

The gallery, at 171 Newbury Street., is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 5:30 pm; Sunday, 1 to 5 pm. For information, 617/267-9473.