Murata Gen 村田 元 (1904-1988), Jar, Iron and Rice Husk Glaze 糠白黒釉扁壺, H8.5″ x W7.5″ x D6.5″, Stoneware, With Signed Wood Box

April 24- May 17, 2023

Dai Ichi Arts is delighted to present the first ever solo exhibition of the works of Mingei artist Murata Gen in North America. The show will explore the range of vessels and functional forms by Murata, with an emphasis on his sensitivity for painted clay surfaces.

Murata has been a favorite of Mingei collectors for decades, but his works have never received the recognition they deserve. Considered as the underdog of the Mingei folk-craft canon in the world of Japanese ceramics, Murata Gen’s works are underestimated yet influential, and this exhibition aims to celebrates him as an important part of Mashiko, Mingei, and the legacy of Japanese folk-craft.

The accompanying exhibition catalog includes an interview with Mingei collector Jeffrey Montgomery.

To see more examples of his work, click here