Ephemeral Beauty: Sculptural Vessels by Inaba Chikako

INABA CHIKAKO

Ephemeral Beauty S c u l p t u r a l Ve s s e l s b y

INABA CHIKAKO Spring 2020

JOAN B MIRVISS LTD

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“I consider my sculptures to be functional vessels. Not only in the sense that they can hold water and food or be used as a flower vase but also that they are containers to hold or envelop people’s thoughts and feelings. Japanese use the word, “utsuwa” or container. This word not only means “vessel” but can also mean or imply “the size of one’s heart.” Thus I have titled my sculputures “Yōki,” which also has a double meaning of “leaf vessel” and “container.”

My vessels hold physical materials like plants and water as well as emotions, thoughts, and diversity.”

— Inaba Chikako

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YĹ?ki 2020 Glazed stoneware 8 x 14 x 9 1/4 in.

No. 11704 5

YĹ?ki 2019 Glazed stoneware 12 x 19 3/4 x 13 5/8 in.

No. 11456 6

YĹ?ki 2019 Glazed stoneware 9 1/2 x 12 3/8 x 4 in.

No. 11707

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YĹ?ki 2020 Glazed stoneware 7 1/2 x 12 7/8 x 10 1/4 in.

No. 11705

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“I am inspired by the unique lines and forms of leaves that nature has created. If you look up and see leaves from one tree, all the leaves look alike. It is when a leaf is apart from the tree that each leaf expresses its own character as if it has its own mind. Each leaf transforms differently. Curling and withering leaves symbolize for me both the vitality and the transience of life.“

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YĹ?ki 2020 Glazed stoneware 8 x 9 3/8 x 6 7/8 in.

No. 11706

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YĹ?ki 2019 Glazed stoneware 10 3/8 x 20 5/8 x 10 in.

No. 11457

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YĹ?ki 2019 Glazed stoneware 11 1/4 x 25 7/8 x 7 3/4 in.

No. 11458 12

Inaba Chikako in her studio in Shiga, Japan

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Published in conjunction with the exhibition Ephemeral Beauty Sculptural Vessels by Inaba Chikako Joan B Mirviss LTD Photographer: Miyata Kiyohiko Narration: Chelsea Cooksey Catalog Design: Yukiko Ishii

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