Ryusei Arita “Wabi-Sabi”, Pottery Slab | Iga Contemporary Pottery

Sale price$145.00

Dimensions: 11-1/4” square x 3/4” thick

This large and spectacular Ceramic slab is the result of the combination of multiple kiln effects and free-form shapes and textures that define this beautiful platter. The motif is random, like an act of nature, and pays tribute to the material while bringing the Iga pottery tradition into the 21st century. Ryusei’s work shares a distinctive glass-like natural ash glaze and a robust interpretation of traditional Iga-yaki pottery. His artistic execution of the color glaze is evident through ‘multiple drip’ painting on a white background with green, blue, and mustard abstract shapes. This large ceramic body incorporates a thick undulating, wave-type action, to the rim and employs a process that is very time-consuming in manipulating the edges while keeping a perfectly flat under and upper surface of the platter. The artist has placed his incised mark on the back of this five-pound creation.

Ryusei advocates living with art through presenting fine food through the use of beautiful handmade serving pieces. This philosophy blurs the distinction between utility and art, which has been a major influence on his work. Ryusei is a famed ceramic artist, kiln builder, and author commissioned to create signature ceramics for leading Chefs and restaurants in California, Australia, and around the world. We personally met this talented craftsman over a decade ago at his Oakland studio, have sold diverse pieces of his work to ceramic enthusiasts with discriminating taste for the Japanese aesthetic, at our former gallery, (Vermillion Asian Arts), in Carmel, California. 

Ryusei’s interpretations of Iga-yaki ceramics are truly one-of-a-kind works of art; each piece is hand-crafted and, as a result, the shape, color, and patterns are slightly different from one another-- this is the beauty called, wabi-sabi, something supporting both the Chef, in presenting his/her creations, and the diner's experience. 

Condition: Excellent as made with no imperfections from use or age.

NOTE: Ryusei, who epitomizes aesthetic philosophy was born in Japan and has grown to be an internationally renowned ceramic artist. See the publication focused on his technical skills entitled: Personal Author: Arita, Ryusei; Source: Ceramics Technical, No. 31, Nov 2010: 3-6 Document Type: Journal Article ISSN: 1324-4175.

Reyusi Arita Profile

1963 Established his United States residence as an international student and established his studio in Berkeley California

1966-68 Studied with American ceramics leader Peter Voulkos

1973 Graduated from California Institute of Technology

1977 Peter Voulkos Video Documentary Production

1978 -79 San Francisco Museum of Contemporary Art

Presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art, New York

Participant at Life ceramics “on the table”, a webshop of Mashie ware kiln “Yoshikawa kiln”

Tamagawa Art University Nishimura Nakamura Presented at a pottery class

1980-86 San Francisco Museum of Contemporary Art

1989 Participated in the Peter Crow Anatomist Workshop in New Jersey

1994 Construction of kiln and studio in Elk Valley, California

1997 Solo exhibition at Gallery Piazza San Francisco