Ichikawa’s teacher, Kakurezaki Ryuichi 隠崎隆一 (b. 1953) was an outsider to Bizen clay. His works were concerned with pushing the possibilities of Bizen through form, color, and glaze. Likewise, Ichikawa...
Ichikawa’s teacher, Kakurezaki Ryuichi 隠崎隆一 (b. 1953) was an outsider to Bizen clay. His works were concerned with pushing the possibilities of Bizen through form, color, and glaze. Likewise, Ichikawa dares to challenge tradition in his own interpretations of Bizen. He dares to challenge the tradition.
Slow looking: Ichikawa’s glaze bubbles under the heat of the kiln. The temperature suspends this simmering complexion, producing an interesting surface texture consisting of rounded, bulbous protrusions. The artist’s decision to apply a thick glaze may be seen in this piece too: as the glaze drips down from the top of this wheel thrown guinomi, the heat of the kiln fixes this drip in place. The resulting glaze drapes over the clay body as though it were a blanket. These techniques affirm the three dimensional tactility of the cup: it is an object of both art and utility to be felt.