In October, Gallery NYCoo presents Japanese ceramist Shigeru Saito in his solo debut exhibition in New York. At his kiln in Yokosuka, he creates sakeware, lanterns, Jizo (guardian deity of children) which are inspired from traditional Japanese homes and from the artist's own childhood environment. Saito's continued belief is that his sincerity and faithfulness to his original landscape, his earliest visual memories, will touch the hearts of those who view and use his work. He calls this "the beauty of WA." WA refers to harmony among people, and can be considered his esthetic values based on his upbringing. Visiting the gallery may stimulate your own insights and reaction.

The artist's motivation behind this exhibition is to geographically and intellectually widen his perspective. More specifically, by bringing his work to New York and having dialogs with an audience that may give him a different kind of feedback than at home, he hopes to find the next direction in his artistic exploration. America is a foreign land consisting of people from various backgrounds and whether or not Saito's personal nostalgia of his own life over the past 40 to 50 years will communicate is to be seen. How will people respond to his Jizo?

In 1920 Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada established St. Ives Pottery in England, which initiated the dissemination of Japanese pottery to the Western countries. Half a century has passed since Leach gave a series of lectures in the U.S. in 1954. Pottery is thriving here in the U.S. and has been incorporated into the liberal arts curriculum of American universities. The number of potters in this country may well equal that of Japan. This exhibition is an opportunity for cultural exchange, and the artist looks forward to the response of the viewers.

This exhibition will be the last to be held at this location. Gallery NYCoo will be closed temporarily until a new location is established. Please look forward to receiving the announcement for the reopening of the gallery.

Gallery writer: Hitoshi Nakazato
Translation : Sumiko Takeda