Chikako Yoshikawa Exhibition

Otaru City Museum of Art

Finished

Artists

Chikako Yoshikawa

Chikako Yoshikawa is a ceramic artist based in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, one of Japan's oldest kilns, who has been creating ceramics for 40 years.

Yoshikawa was born in Otaru, Hokkaido, in 1948. After graduating from Otaru Choryo High School in Hokkaido, she moved to Tokyo to study sculpture at Musashino Art University. Yoshikawa, who was working in stone sculpture at the time, happened to see a large jar in Tokoname that had a simple yet powerful appearance and was drawn to the world of ceramics, where clay and glaze are greatly transformed by the power of fire. Since then, she has been completely self-taught, exploring techniques and expressions, and moved to Tokoname in 1974, where she has been creating works that overturn the image of ceramics.

The subjects of Yoshikawa's works are "people, animals, and flowers," which are created from her observation of life in her daily life. The gentle and simple form of her works is born from her interest in and affectionate approach to all living things. The fact that she does not belong to a traditional lineage is a strength of hers that allows him to leave the restrictions of the past. The mix of colorful colors and soft forms creates humorous forms with a unique presence that attracts many people.

This is the first exhibition in Yoshikawa's hometown of Otaru. The main exhibits include works from the Jiro Akino Collection, which Akino actively collected from his childhood friend Yoshikawa, as well as works selected by Yoshikawa herself from his studio in Tokoname, and new works.

[Events]
1 Chikako Yoshikawa Artist Talk: "My Works and Tokoname, City of Ceramic Art"
Date: July 29 (Sat) 10:30-12:00
Venue: Museum's 2nd-floor exhibition room
Fee: Admission only
Performer: Yoshikawa Chikako (ceramic artist)

2. Workshop: Chikako Yoshikawa x Nobuho Nagasawa "Hybrid Animal Book"
Date: August 5 (Sat) 10:00-13:00
Target: 1st-6th graders of elementary school in Otaru City (3rd graders and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Capacity: 20 (first-come, first-served)
Venue: Museum 1st floor training room, meeting room, etc.
Performers: Chikako Yoshikawa (ceramic artist), Nobuho Nagasawa (contemporary artist)
For more information on the event and how to register, please visit the official website.

Schedule

Jul 29 (Sat) 2023-Sep 17 (Sun) 2023