Suzuki Osamu (Japanese, 1926–2001). Clay Figurine (detail), 1962. Glazed stoneware. Collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz. EL2025.25.16
Step into the unexpected world of Japanese art with two exciting exhibitions opening October 24 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Breaking Tradition: The Avant-Garde in Japanese Ceramics, 1948 to 1990 explores the bold artists who challenged centuries-old conventions to redefine ceramic sculpture, while Bare Bones: Skeletons in Japanese Art uncovers the whimsical side of skeletons through paintings, prints, and illustrated works. Together, these exhibitions reveal the adventurous spirit, inventive artistry, and delightful surprises of Japanese art!
Breaking Tradition: The Avant-Garde in Japanese Ceramics, 1948 to 1990
October 24, 2026 – February 7, 2027
Mary Griggs Burke Gallery of Japanese Art (251–253)
For many Japanese artists, the process of conceptualizing and producing an artwork underwent fundamental, widespread change after the end of World War II in 1945. The strong emphasis on continuity was abandoned by some in favor of a radical new path, previously unheard of, especially in the crafts section.
The birth of an avant-garde and formal declaration for innovations is notable throughout different media. One approach for avant-garde artists was to create sculptures instead of functional objects. In 1948, a group of five ceramic artists, among them Yagi Kazuo (1918–1979), Yamada Hikaru (1923–2001), and Suzuki Osamu (1926–2001), founded Sōdeisha, literally the Crawling through Mud Association. The Sōdeisha group was active until 1998. While more than 60 artists were members at some point, not every ceramic artist who created innovative sculptures joined. Artists like Kawamoto Gorō (1919–1986) and Morino Taimei (born 1934) preferred to work independently and pursued their own paths.
Individualism is a key factor in Japanese contemporary ceramics today. This exhibition sheds light on the beginning of the break with Japanese ceramics traditions by showcasing works from independent artists and Sōdeisha members created before 1990.
To learn more, click here.
Takeuchi Ryūa (Kokunimasa), Skeletons as a Courtesan Procession (detail), c. 1900–1920. The Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund, 2024.66.2
Bare Bones: Skeletons in Japanese Art
October 24, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Cargill Gallery (103)
Skulls and skeletons are a popular subject in Japanese art. They appear in paintings, prints, and book illustrations as secondary elements but also as primary subjects, especially with the increased understanding of anatomy in the 19th century.
This exhibition shows skeletons in a life-like, humorous manner, exhibiting a playfulness to the usually terrifying and haunting nature of skeletons. The highlight is the recently acquired pair of six-panel folding screens by Takeuchi Ryūa, a truly memorable and unique work of skeletons at play.
To learn more, click here.