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| Takao Okazaki resume |
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Internationally renowned
Japanese ceramic artist with 30 years experience of ceramic art production. Prolific in the traditional ceramics of Oribe, Shino, Karatsu, and natural ash woodfire including a ten year apprenticeship with one of Japan's living national treasures, Tokuro Kato of Nagoya. Okazaki has maintained a U.S. studio for almost ten years, pursuing both traditional and sculptural interests. Okazaki is now extending his success in tableware and teaware by moving in a more sculptural direction. While inventive and dynamic, Okazaki's pieces still have delicacy and refinement that lets the viewer know that he finds the beautiful to be fully as interesting as the muscular. Here the gesture is expressed as a subtle pressure or fissure, rather than as a tear or gouge, as Okazaki balances freedom and restrain in graceful harmony. His hybrid wood-burning anagama snail kiln, with a second chamber is located in Dingman's Ferry, Pennsylvania. He is in a recently published book, "Towards the 21st Century", that focuses on the 21 most important living Japanese artists. BACKGROUND 1946 Born in Yamagata Prefecture 1962-64 Studied painting with modernist Hideyasu Senni 1964-73 Apprenticed with Master Potter Tokuro Kato- designated "Living National Treasure for Oribe Works" 1973 Established studio, Fubogama kiln, and home in Yamagata, Japan 1989-90 Traveled to the U.S.A.; collaborated with Peter Callas MAJOR WORKS 1973-Present Large Ceramic Murals Sculptured Objects Tea Ceremony Utensils PRESENT STYLES Shino, Oribe, Seto, Shigaraki, Karatau, and Yakishima (natural ash glaze) MAJOR COMMISSIONS 1974 Ceramic Mural "UZO-OTO" (The Ocean Echoes Turmoil) 2.5m x 4m 1984 Ceramic Mural "NO-AKE" (Sunrise Fields) 2.5m x 3.5m 1986 Ceramic Mural "SEI-UN" (Star Clouds) 2.5m x 5.5m SELECTED ONE-MAN EXHIBITS 1978 Ganosha Gallery, Fukushima 1979 Nihon Seimel Gallery, Sendai Akasaka Inui Gallery, Tokyo 1981 Matsuzakaya Dept. Store, Shizuoka 1983 "10 Year Anniversary Exhibit" Matsuzakaya Dept. Store, Yamagata 1984 Fujisaki Gallery, Sendai Cats Blow, Zao, Yamagata 1986 Oribe Heights Mochizuki Gallery, Sendai 1987 "The Beauty of Zao's Widflowers" La Pola Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo 1988 Mitsukoshi Dept. Store, Niigata "Fall Breezes from Zao" La Pola Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo 1989 Mitsukoshi Dept. Store, Niigata 1990 "Making Friends with Wild Flowers" La Pola Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo 1992 Suzuran Dept. Store, Gumma 1993 "20 Year Anniverary Exhibit" Onuma Dept. Store 1994 Shimanuki 1996 Onuma Art Salon GROUP EXHIBITS 1990 "School of Kato Tokuro Exhibit" Seibu Dept. Store, Tokyo 1992 Collaborative exhibit wth Flower Master Yuzan Nakano 1998 Gallery Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd., NYC,NY 1999 Salon de Vamhou, Kurashiki, Japan 1999 Kuroda Toen Gallery, Tokyo AWARDS 1972 Japan Art Association Award, National Invitational Geno National Museum, Tokyo 1973 Japan Contemporary Art Exhibit Award, National Invitational Miksukoshi Dept. Store, Tokyo 1974 Japan Art Association's American Exhibit Award National Invitational tour of the United States 1975 3rd Prize - Ashahi Ceramist Competition, Regional Invitational Maruei Dept. Store, Nagoya Governor of Aichi's Exhibit Award, Regional Invitational Maruei Depy. Store, Nagoya |
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