Spiral Magazine, Reframe, Issue 8, Courtesy the Rubin

The Rubin is mailing their upcoming spring issue of Spiral Magazine to the first 2,000 people who sign up for the publication by December 31!

Spiral is the Rubin’s signature magazine offering readers an in-depth exploration of Himalayan art, culture, and ideas. Through a rich combination of essays, interviews, and visuals, Spiral delves into the museum’s exhibitions, programs, and collections, connecting them to broader themes of mindfulness, philosophy, and contemporary relevance. As a thoughtful platform for experts, artists, and thinkers to share insights, this annual publication inspires readers to engage with the profound heritage of Himalayan traditions in fresh and meaningful ways.

To learn more and reserve your free copy today, click here.

Kondō Takahiro (Japanese, born 1958), Reflection: TK Self Portrait, 2010., glazed porcelain, 19 1/16 × 6 3/16 in. (48.5 × 15.7 cm); Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection, © Kondō Takahiro. (Photo: Richard P. Goodbody and John Morgan)

Museum Spotlight: Porcelains in the Mist: The Kondō Family of Ceramicists
Closing Sunday, December 8, 2024
Arts of Japan, 2nd Floor

There’s still time to catch Porcelains in the Mist: The Kondō Family of Ceramicists at the Brooklyn Museum before it closes on December 8.  This extraordinary exhibition celebrates the groundbreaking artistry of the Kondō family, featuring sixty-one stunning works that trace three generations of innovation in Japanese ceramics.

The exhibit highlights the artistic legacy of Kondō Yūzō (1902–1985), a designated Living National Treasure, and his descendants—Kondō Hiroshi (1936–2012), Kondō Yutaka (1932–1983), and contemporary artist Kondō Takahiro (b. 1958). Together, they transcended traditional techniques to embrace original, individual expression.

Tracing this evolution, the exhibit showcases early creations ranging from freehand-painted vases and pure-white jars to Kondō Takahiro’s mesmerizing porcelain sculptures. These striking pieces, often self-portraits, are glazed in deep shades of blue and adorned with metallic droplets known as “silver mist” or gintekisai. Both the term and the intricate glazing technique are innovations of Takahiro, demonstrating his mastery and ingenuity. Several of these powerful porcelains reflect his personal responses to monumental events, particularly the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan.

Learn more about how each generation of the Kondō family has distinguished their innovation from Curator Joan Cummins here.

To learn more about the exhibit, click here.

Pair of Pottery Court Ladies, Chinese, Tang Dynasty, circa 618-907 A.D., height: 19 cm–19.5 cm

Gifts from the Ancient World
December 2 – 6, 2024
16-17 Pall Mall, London

Oliver Forge and Brendan Lynch Ltd. is pleased to announce their newly opened Christmas exhibition Gifts from the Ancient World, which is on show from December 2-6.

Among the treasures is a pair of Tang Dynasty Court Ladies, a group of Egyptian faience jewelry, stone vessels, and ancient bronzes. With prices ranging from £200-5,000, it is an ideal show for Christmas treats.

They’ve already seen swift sales, so be sure to browse their catalogue and reach out with any inquiries!

To view their superb online catalog, click here.

Makino Kōmin, Accessory Box with Hydrangea, 1930s, gold, silver and colored lacquer on wood with shell inlays, 8 x 12½ x 7½ in. (20.5 x 32 x 19.3 cm)

Golden Treasures: Japanese Gold Lacquer Boxes
October 26 – December 20, 2024
9 East 63rd St, NYC

Thomsen Gallery warmly invites you to experience their annual exhibition of Japanese gold lacquer masterpieces dating from the early 18th century to the present. This year’s collection highlights exquisite lacquer works from the modern era (1910s–1950s), including a remarkable screen that was published and  exhibited at the annual national art exhibition of 1952. Discover the artistry and enduring allure of these timeless creations in an extraordinary journey through Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

To learn more, click here.

Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997), New York (B), self-carved, self-printed; signed in white at lower right, Kiyoshi Saito, titled, numbered and dated in pencil on bottom margin, NEW YORK (B) 19/50, 1963, with artist’s paper label attached to verso, self-carved, self-printed KIYOSHI SAITO, 1963, 27 1/8 x 21 1/8 in.

Creative Connections: Sosaku-Hanga Artists & New York
December 5, 2024 – January 31, 2025
145 West 58th St, Ste 6D, NYC
View by appointment

Scholten Japanese Art is pleased to present Creative Connections: Sosaku-Hanga Artists & New York, a group exhibition of preeminent Japanese sosaku-hanga print artists, all of whom had connections with New York and with each other.

The presentation includes self-carved and self-printed woodblock prints by Shiko Munakata (1903-1975), Jun’ichiro Sekino (1914-1988), Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997), Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) and his younger brother, Hodaka Yoshida (1926-1995), along with Hodaka’s wife, Chizuko Yoshida (1924-2017), as well as another set of spouses, Ansei Uchima (1921-2000) and his wife, Toshiko Uchima (1918-2000).

Explore the exhibition online ahead of its December 5 opening on their website!

To view these superb works, click here.