Plate c. 20th century

This stoneware plate, by Onodera Gen, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I love the volcanic texture—it makes me wonder about the hand that shaped it, the fire that birthed it. I picture Onodera Gen at the wheel, coaxing the clay, feeling its yielding resistance. Did he have a clear idea of the final form, or did the plate emerge through a dance of intention and chance? The dark, earthy tones remind me of Rothko’s late work, that feeling of profound, quiet contemplation. There’s something elemental about this plate, like holding a piece of the earth itself. And that subtle mark in the centre—a fingerprint, a signature, a secret code? It’s the kind of detail that draws you in, makes you want to touch and hold and connect with the maker across time. Artists are always having a conversation, aren’t they? We pick up where others leave off, adding our own voice to the chorus.