Tanaka Yu 田中悠
H16.5 x W19.0 x D15.2cm
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Born in Ehime, The contemporary sculptor Tanaka Yu is known for her material invocations through the ceramic medium. In particular, her works appear to be soft, malleable: her forms imitate the image of a colorful wrapped Furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth), over functional vessels. Precisely by invoking an image that covers up the utility aspect of everyday objects, her works question the line between object and vessel; form and function.
Her works are playful, coaxing the viewer to consider what her sculpted Furoshiki might contain. Vague silhouettes of bowls, boxes, plates and cups can be found when examining the forms of her sculptures. The viewer might spot an edge that reminds them of the lip of a vase, or the corner of a container. These ambiguous shapes are always framed by her signature knot, usually sat at an angle on the object. Tanaka’s clay is sourced from Shigaraki and elsewhere. Her mixed clay offers both porosity and plasticity. Her works are celebrated both within Japan and internationally, having been exhibited in several institutions and museums, garnering a significant accolade for what might be considered a young artist within the Japanese ceramic industry.