Keiji Onihira (b. 1973), Box with Design in Raised Maki-e, “Soaring Aurora”, 2020, dry lacquer and wood (base), gold-silver alloy, gold, abalone shell, South Sea abalone shell, tamamushi (jewel beetle), and pigment, 8 1/2  × 10 7/16  × 5 3/4 in. (21.7 × 26.4 × 14.5 cm)

The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima and Waves of Resilience
Opening Reception: Tuesday, October 1, 6-8pm
October 1 – 25, 2024
16 E 79th Street, NYC

Onishi Gallery is excited to announce the opening of their new 1,200-square-foot location in the historic Sidney Ripley mansion, a Neo-Georgian building designed by Warren and Wetmore in 1905, situated on the Upper East Side. To celebrate the occasion, two concurrent exhibitions—The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima and Waves of Resilience—will open with an evening reception on October 1st!

These exhibitions are presented in partnership with KOGEI USA, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Japanese art internationally. Additionally, in collaboration with the Wajima Lacquer in New York Executive Committee, the exhibitions will support earthquake recovery efforts in the Noto Peninsula, a historic center of high-quality lacquer production.

Curated by owner Nana Onishi, The Spirit of Noto: Urushi Artists of Wajima highlights three Living National Treasures—Yamagishi Kazuo, Komori Kunie, and Mae Fumio—alongside fourteen other artists, Ebata Toshio, Ebata Hiroyuki, Mizushiri Kota, Mizushiri Satomi, Mizushiri Seiho, Nakamuro Sōichirō, Ōkado Yūji, Onihira Keiji, Sakamoto, Yasunori, Sakashita Yoshiharu, Shiota Junji, Suzutani Toyoshi, Teranishi Shōta, and Urade Katsuhiko, all working with urushi, the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree.

Waves of Resilience features luxury tableware designed, curated, and directed by New York-based interior designer Melissa Bowers, in partnership with Senshudo, a renowned Wajima lacquerware company.  The eleven-piece luxury tabletop collection reflects Japan’s seas, skies, and journeys of healing, using the traditional art of lacquer to reflect the normally tranquil beauty of the earthquake-affected local landscape and the strength of its people. Featuring an incense holder, trays, cup, vase, and other vessels, it merges classical techniques with contemporary aesthetics.

For an exclusive preview, visit their online viewing room by clicking here.

To view their online catalog, click here and for more information, click here.