To many, Suzuki Sansei’s exceptional celadon works invokes of the Argentine-Italian painter and sculptor Lucio Fontana’s canvas-based “Spatial Concept” series.
Suzuki Sansei (b. 1936) trained under Kawamura Seizan 河村蜻山 (b. 1890) at the Kamakura Kiln, before going on to build his own kiln Kozu in Kanagawa prefecture. His style brings forth “grandeur in simplicity”. In this celadon jar, he has carved and created three simple lines that sweep across the vertical axis of the curvilinear surface, to create a simple yet thought-provoking composition on the celadon surface.
On the other hand, Lucio Fontana explored this motif of what echoes the effect of three incisions on an unconventional surface through his “Spatial Concept” series. These works, which all consist of a canvas that has been cut either once or multiply, are collectively known as the Tagli ('cuts'). Considered together, they are Fontana's most extensive and varied group of works and they have come to be seen as emblematic of his gestural aesthetic.
One can appreciate the compositional parallels between the two pieces, made by artists at the top of their craft. It offers an aide in pondering the relationship between line, motion, space, movement and surface.
Images: Lucio Fontana, Concetto spaziale, Attese, 1967, water-based paint on canvas, white, 55x46 cm courtesy of Tornabuoni Art, 2019
Suzuki Sansei鈴木三成, Jar 青瓷壺, Red stoneware with celadon glaze, 15" x 10”, With Signed Wood Box