Untitled [Flower vase with three-colored glaze] c. early 1980s

Okuyama Zen'ichi made this untitled vase with a three-colored glaze. You know, the thing about ceramics is it's not just about the final form, it's a whole process. The artist is thinking about how the glaze will melt, how the colors will react, and how it all transforms in the kiln. Look at how the glaze pools and gathers, creating this incredible texture. The surface isn't flat, it's alive! It’s almost reptilian. Notice the little dots of red peeking out from under the black and green. It's a micro-universe. I find myself drawn to this part of the vase where the colors blend and blur together. It’s like a tiny abstract painting. This vase reminds me of the work of Ken Price, particularly his colourful, biomorphic sculptures. Both artists share a fascination with the transformative power of the kiln and the way color and texture can bring a piece to life. Art is so great because it's an ongoing conversation, an exchange of ideas that transcends time and space.