Toru Ichikawa solo exhibition

This year, we are once again delighted to present a solo exhibition by Ichikawa.

As I wrote at some length last time, Ichikawa occupies a rather unusual position among the artists we work with. His fiercely individual vision, together with the uncompromising commitment with which he pursues it, continues to give his work an extraordinary degree of completeness. This year, I believe you will be able to see how that vision has evolved even further.

Each of Ichikawa’s designs has its own title and its own underlying idea. Some reflect contemporary society, while others draw inspiration from classical sources, among many other things. When he explains these ideas to me, however, I must admit that I am not learned enough to fully understand them. Each time, I go away and do some research, but such hastily acquired knowledge rarely takes me far enough to grasp the deeper relationship between the idea and the work itself. In the end, my thoughts tend to return to something far more instinctive: what on earth has this man been eating all his life to end up making work like this?

What I mean is that there are many ways to enjoy Ichikawa’s work, but above all, his ceramics possess such a compelling presence that they leave you wondering even about what the artist eats.

So what exactly makes them so compelling? Allow me to borrow what I recently wrote in response to a questionnaire for Art Collectors’, a Japanese art magazine. Since I had contributed to it, I took the opportunity to buy a copy myself for the first time.

An almost poisonous flamboyance combined with a raw, untamed quality. Perhaps it is something like finding yourself mesmerized by a poison dart frog. Drawing on everything from traditional ceramic techniques to contemporary technologies, Ichikawa carries his powerful designs through with absolute conviction. I believe it is this extraordinary, uncompromising presence that draws people to his work.

Alongside popular works introduced last year, including Lycoris Radiata and Calm and Flame, Ichikawa will also present works featuring entirely new designs created for this exhibition. Unfortunately, they were not completed in time to be included on the exhibition invitation, which makes us all the more excited to reveal them at the show.

We very much hope you will come and see the exhibition.