Pivotal Voices | PiVOTAL

PiVOTAL 01 Uno Kimie02 Abe Anjin (translation in progress) 03 Haijima Yoji (translation in progress)

PiVOTAL Interview Series

Transformative Voices ––– toward therethurhere

A site for sharing tales of creation from mold-breaking creators in diverse artistic disciplines. We begin with the indigo dyeing artist Uno Kimie. Abe Anjin, a trailblazing Bizen ceramic artist, and Haijima Yoji, whose multifaceted oeuvre includes imaginative explorations into the role of text in daily life, will join her soon. And more are in the works. So stay tuned.

Uno Kimie

An Artist Who Has Broadened the Possibilities of Indigo Dyeing

Astonishing gradation effects
More than 30 years of overcoming the challenges posed by indigo and translating a love for plant-born colors into remarkable creations
Magnificent stencil work with dyes brewed with lye fermentation from indigo grown in Tokushima Prefecture
An oeuvre that spans apparel, accessories, objects d'art, and fine art,

02 (translation underway)

Abe Anjin

A problem child that overturned conventional wisdom about Bizen ware

Aiming to become a painter, he held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 1967.
Pottery making, which started as a hobby, has become my main job
Proposing and demonstrating firing and design theories that overturned preconceived ideas of the time
New possibilities for ceramics are still revealed at annual exhibitions

03 (translation underway)

Haijima Yoji

A love of letters and abstract art

Rediscover the letters on signs, road signs, and other street corners
He has produced free and unconventional works such as the "Clone Venus" series.
While exhibiting his work, he has edited the Ryusei-ha Ikebana newsletter for about 40 years.
Burning books: "Gutenberg Charcoal Books" explores the future of writing and civilization