(Shallow Dish) c. late 20th century

This dreamy little dish was made by Kimura Nobuyuki, though we don't know exactly when. Look at that soft, misty blue. I bet it was the result of many firings, maybe some happy accidents in the kiln. It makes me think about Rothko's color fields, but in three dimensions, like you could hold a cloud in your hands. I wonder what Kimura was thinking as he shaped the clay. Was he searching for the perfect form, or letting the material guide him? The glaze is so smooth and even, it must have taken real skill and patience to achieve that effect. It reminds me of Agnes Martin's subtle color gradations; these artists share an understanding of how gentle, almost imperceptible shifts can create a feeling of serenity and peace. And that raw clay base, so earthy and grounding against the ethereal blue… It's this contrast that makes it really sing, like a conversation between the earth and the sky. The conversation between artists never ends.