Examples of Objects on Display

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  Eric Zetterquist Celadon Octagonal Vase

  2016

  Having been receiving considerable influence by Song ceramics, Zetterquist praises this work as the “culmination” of classical Chinese ceramics, which possesses the characteristics of Southern Song Guan ware. This work represents the subject in the style of Chinese landscape painting that is contemporary with the subject, which can be inferred from the texture resembling an ink-painting-like blur. He is using the shade that appears on the surface of the vase as means of expression, which can be achieved by strongly lighting up the vase from one side. Here appears a “mindscape” – a small boat floats at the front and as one proceeds through the path and reach the pinnacle, he finds a waterfall and a pavilion.

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  OCTAGONAL VASE, Celadon

  Southern Song dynasty, 12-13th century
  Guan ware
  Height: 21.0 cm
  Gift of SUMITOMO Group
  (The ATAKA Collection Accession No,00569)
  Photograph by MUDA Tomohiro
  

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  Eric Zetterquist Celadon Octagonal Ewer with Incised Leaves Design

  2016

  Zetterquist photographed the Northern Song ewer and cut out the space between the neck and spout. While he sees influence from Zen of the Northern Song dynasty in this simple form, he also understands that at the same time it stimulates the viewers’ modern sensitivity. In fact, it can be inferred from his monochrome works that he was inspired by hard-edge painting. He sublimates the photograph of a representational ceramic ware to an abstract personal expression.

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  OCTAGONAL EWER, Celadon with incised leaves design

  Northern Song dynasty
  Yue-type ware (Longquan ware)
  Height: 22.6cm
  Accession No.01204
  Photograph by MUDA Tomohiro
  

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  Eric Zetterquist White Porcelain Flowerpot Stand with Openwork Lotus Design

  2016

  Randomly scattered black dots are connected with lines, reminiscent of, as Zetterquist mentions, the mobiles by Alexander Calder (1898-1976). The black dots are actually the spaces created by the openwork decoration of lotus flowers applied on the flowerpot stand produced in the Joseon dynasty. The representation of the lotus motif, garnished with incisions and dots, is full of vitality, which makes the whole ceramic work particularly attractive. However, once you focus your attention to the openwork space which is normally regarded as part of the “hollowed-out background” of the decoration, a modernist composition appears and you will feel a different kind of rhythm.
  
  

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  FLOWERPOT STAND, White porcelain with openwork lotus design

  Joseon dynasty, 16th century
  Height: 39.5 cm
  Gift of SUMITOMO Group
  (The ATAKA Collection Accession No.00247)
  Photograph by MUDA Tomohiro