ATLA is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Japan based artist Yoshikazu Tanaka (b. 1983, Osaka, JP). Tanaka transforms the process of making into a profound metaphor for rebirth. Focused on the sculptural form rather than the object's practical function, the tenets of Tanaka’s practice rebuild from past failures.

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Discarded objects, failed ideas, and imperfect sculptures are broken down, crushed, or buried into newly constructed forms. With some rebuilt forms, the broken pieces from old sculptures are pulverized into a fine powder and mixed into the glazes that adorn his sculpture's surfaces— a liquid-like material that is similar to paint. Together with other found objects in his studio, such as fluorescent light bulbs, glass bottles, and tin cans, he fills these objects with clay and builds around them, which he then fires in a kiln. Traces of these forms emerge as reborn remnants, and the glass and metals that define these forms, when fired, melt and pool—serving as reminders of the objects they once were. It is Tanaka’s belief that transformation is a natural and empowering aspect of existence.

 

His studio, based in Seto, Japan, is in one of the most famous ceramic towns in the country, with a rich history dating back over 1,000 years. Signs of the local soil that is dug from the surrounding mountains are evident in the color and texture of his distinct forms.

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Currently serving as an adjunct professor at both Nagoya University of the Arts and Aichi University of the Arts, Tanaka’s passion for both his craft and the intricate relationship between material and process. He was the recipient of the Grand Prix at the inaugural Seto-Toshiro Triennale in 2013, a recognition that highlighted his innovative contributions to the field of ceramics.

Tanaka’s work has notably been shown at the Gyeonggi World Ceramic Biennale in Icheon, Korea, the Seto City Museum in Seto, Japan, and has spent time in residence at the prestigious European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC) in the Netherlands. His artworks have also been acquired by several important institutions, including the Seto City Art Museum and Seinan Gakuin University in Japan, where they remain as symbolic representations of his artistic vision.