Bowl late 20th - early 21st century

Editor: This stoneware bowl, created by Matsuzaki Ken in the late 20th or early 21st century, is pretty striking. The glaze is so uneven, thick and crusty in places. It almost feels like I'm looking at a landscape, maybe mountains shrouded in mist. What are your thoughts on this piece? Curator: The cultural context of contemporary Japanese ceramics is crucial to understanding a piece like this. After the Second World War, there was a push for innovation in the arts, moving away from traditional forms but maintaining the respect for materials and process. The use of stoneware, in particular, has deep roots in Japanese history. Considering the visual weight of the glaze and the artist's choice to partially cover the stoneware, what political undercurrents might be reflected in such pieces showcased in museums? Editor: Political undercurrents? I hadn't thought of it that way. I suppose the rejection of pre-war traditions could be seen as a political act, even in something as simple as a bowl. Curator: Precisely. And how museums chose to display these works also holds meaning. Who decides what aspects of Japanese identity are promoted or re-evaluated? Was this piece ever used, or strictly presented as art? Do you see how this changes its impact? Editor: I never considered how much politics can be woven into something that seems like just an everyday object. Thinking about the artist’s intentions and how it is showcased differently depending on shifting ideas of nationhood is fascinating. Curator: Museums inherently tell stories about what cultures value. Considering these aspects can bring new context to what seems to be a functional vessel. Hopefully, this expanded how we receive artworks. Editor: It definitely did. I will always look at ceramic art through a different lens going forward.