Tomio Koyama Gallery, Tokyo Acquired from the above by the present owner
Catalogue Essay
Whereas many contemporary ceramists rely on gas or electric-powered kilns, Japanese artist Taro Tabuchi builds his own furnaces and uses local woods to fire his pottery over a three-day period. Though this traditional firing method dates back to the 5th century, the results are far from traditional. Historically, many Japanese ceramists have created wares that feature planes of solid color. In Tabuchi’s work, though, he prefers to rely on chance to create beautiful abstract patterns. The ashes and the fire from the kiln create varied arrangements of pastel hues on the pottery’s surface. His forms range from traditional, as seen in the “Untitled” vase, to more sculptural, inventive forms, such as the conical “Barbaric White.” Tabuchi has received critical acclaim throughout his native Japan and has been featured in both solo and group exhibitions across Asia, though this is the first offering of his work on the secondary market.