Goro Suzuki (b. 1941), a celebrated ceramic artist born in Aichi Prefecture, is celebrated for his vibrant and innovative style. Suzuki began creating pottery at the age of 16. At...
Goro Suzuki (b. 1941), a celebrated ceramic artist born in Aichi Prefecture, is celebrated for his vibrant and innovative style. Suzuki began creating pottery at the age of 16. At 28, he traveled to the United States, where he was exposed to pottery as a form of fine art. Suzuki's work is a contemporary take on the traditional aesthetics of Momoyama ceramics, but his interpretations are anything but imitative. Using the foundations of Oribe, Shino, and Kiseto styles as well as dabbling in wood firing and ash glazes (Yakishime), he developed his own distinctive techniques, crafting eccentric, curvaceous vessels adorned with lively colors and unconventional patterns. His playful yet masterful designs exemplify a unique sensibility, establishing Suzuki as an artist whose originality and technical skill continue to inspire.
This striking ceramic piece by Suzuki exemplifies a contemporary and original take on traditional Oribe ware, a distinct style of Japanese ceramics that originated in the Mino region in the 17th century. Recognizable for its characteristic lively geometric and organic designs, Oribe ware often features a burnt orange background with areas of vibrant green glaze. Suzuki’s plate embodies the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, celebrating beauty in imperfection, as seen in the large kiln-firing crack that naturally bisects the piece. Six gentle jagged lines are drawn across the surface, adding texture and dimension to the design. Playful depictions of nude figures, inspired by Henri Matisse’s modernist abstract and figurative works, appear within the composition, blending traditional Japanese techniques with a contemporary sensibility. The iconic Oribe green glaze is brushed onto the upper left, pooling in rich, variegated hues that add a touch of whimsy to the piece.