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Make It: Tools, Techniques and Time

I’m currently featured in a show at artisan in Brisbane that’s for the makers and the people who love seeing the process of making and the tools craftspeople use. This little video touches on some of the tools and techniques I use in my practice - thanks for including me artisan!

Tools are the key to understanding humanity. As a society develops, so too does its use of tools. We’re wholly dependent on them, and use them from each moment to the next. Whether you’re popping in a nail, stitching up a hole, or just tightening a few bolts, thousands of years of human evolution has gone into what you’re holding. Tools have been a vital part of this human experience.
Make It: Tools, Technique and Time reveals the tools that six diverse artists use in their practice and how these are utilised in their craft. As well as displaying the artist’s products, this exhibition places the emphasis on the time, tools and techniques that go into each hand-crafted product. Featuring behind the scenes videos that highlight the experience of the artists working in their studios, you will leave with an insight into the processes and the intention behind the making.

Exhibiting artists include:

Adele Outteridge - Book artist and printmaking

Phillip Piperides - Bronze sculptor

Jane du Rand - Mosaic and ceramics

Carol Russell - Wood carving

Kenji Uranishi - Ceramics and sculpture

Jarred Wright - Scientific glass blowing

'Holding Space Making Place' in Hobart

In May 2019 I was invited to be a presenter and demonstrator at the Australian Ceramics Triennale in Hobart. The best thing about events like this is connecting with people who are so passionate about making and working with clay. Participating in an official capacity means you give a lot of energy, but you also get so much back in return and come away feeling like you’re a part of something bigger - something that’s growing and really inspiring. To all the organisers and participants - thanks for an excellent conference!

Queensland Police Memorial

Late in 2018, the new Queensland Police Memorial for fallen officers was unveiled in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. It was my very great honour to have been a Design Collaborator with UAP on this special project.

Image: Courtesy of Queensland Police Service

RN The Art Show

The idea of speaking on national radio filled me with fear, but sometimes you have to face your fears and realise it’s not as terrifying as you’d imagined! It helped to have the lovely Ed and Wendy in at ABC RN’s The Art Show who made the entire experience an absolute pleasure - thank you so much for having me on the show as your in-studio artist! You can listen into the program here: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-art-show/kenji-uranishi/10199574

Sodeisha Connected to Australia

Kenji Uranishi, Pleated bowl 2009, porcelain with inlaid slip and celadon glaze, 11.8 x 20.0cm, Les Renfrew Bequest 2009, Newcastle Art Gallery collection — Kenji Uranishi, *Pleated bowl* 2009, porcelain with inlaid slip and celadon glaze, 11.8 x 20.0cm, Les Renfrew Bequest 2009, Newcastle Art Gallery collection

Earlier in 2019 I was part of a special exhibition at Newcastle Art Gallery, ‘Sodeisha: Connected to Australia’. The Gallery holds one of the largest collections of Sodeisha ceramics by this important group of artists outside of Japan.

SODEISHA: connected to Australia celebrates this significant collection with the inclusion of ten contemporary ceramic artists from Australia and Japan featuring alongside the Gallery's Sodeisha collection to form a dialogue between this important post war avant-garde movement and contemporary ceramic arts practice today.

I was honoured to represent the Australian selection of artists, while of course also feeling so closely connected to the Japanese artists. When I visited Newcastle Art Gallery for the exhibition opening, I was reunited with the work of many artists I have admired and whose work has inspired me throughout my career, both Australian and Japanese.

I was lucky to have an excellent teacher at Nara College of Fine Arts—a place where I became hooked on clay after first experiencing the wonder of its transformation in the kiln. My teacher, Kawano sensei’s wife, Katsuyo Maeda was part of the Sodeisha movement, and her work also featured in the ‘Connected to Australia’ exhibition.

It was during my College days that I was introduced to the Sodeisha movement and discovered contemporary ceramics. I particularly loved the work of Kazuo Yagi and others. After graduating, I directed energy into my own idea of contemporary slab and coil-built sculptures.

So I think the Sodeisha movement had a big influence on my practice and my connection with clay – both functional and non-functional. The artists behind this sculptural clay movement, which was established in 1946, often had a traditional ceramics background but were also trying to push the boundaries of the Japanese ceramic scene. The attitudes that drove this movement have stayed with me throughout my career – and even now keep me going and inspire me to try something new.

It was great to meet original Sodeisha group member Satoru Hoshino and to chat about his incredible installation.

The work behind the work

I don't often think to document my making process, but as I created my entry for the UQ National Self-Portrait Prize, I figured it might be interesting to track its evolution. I really love working through the process required to produce a slip-cast ceramic object. From hand-carving the models, slip-casting the elements to assemble, to fire, to sand, to glaze, to fire again...up until the nervous moment when I lift the lid on the kiln. This is the rhythm of my studio life.

Facing the National Self-Portrait Prize

Kenji Uranishi, 'Danpen (Fragments)' 2017, glazed porcelain Image: Carl Warner — Kenji Uranishi, 'Danpen (Fragments)' 2017, glazed porcelain Image: Carl Warner

When I was invited by The Curators' Department to be one of 28 artists to participate in The University of Queensland National Self-Portrait Prize — a biennial, $50,000 acquisitive prize — my natural reflex was to say no. I couldn't imagine how I could possibly respond to the brief, given the focus of my ceramic practice. But I mulled it over, and with the encouragement of my wife, allowed my mind to investigate the possibilities...and very soon, I felt excited!

I considered a number of paths — a drawing, a painting, porcelain body armour? But in the end, I returned to what really is a true extension and reflection of me and who I am. I created a five-piece installation of porcelain objects entitled 'Danpen (Fragments)'. My artist statement follows:

For 31 years, I lived in Japan, shaped and influenced by the language, culture, food and seasons of my birthplace. I am, at my very core, Japanese. My passport is red, not navy blue.

Life in Australia has provided its challenges, yet I feel at ease here; I feel free. There’s something wonderful about being released from cultural expectations, while still having that culture at the core of your being.

When you look at me, I’m Japanese. But I see in myself fragments of two histories, two lives, two cultures – maybe even two personalities, with two styles of communication and humour. I’ve spent more years of my life in Japan than I have in Australia, but it won’t be long before the balance tips in the other direction.

'Danpen (Fragments)' is a reflection of me, and my practice, right now. In creating my self-portrait, I have hand-carved two distinct shapes for every piece and brought them together into one, abstracted whole, reflecting the coming together of my two identities.

When blending two different elements, I felt they had to communicate, not fight against each other. My Japanese and Australian selves are no different – both must have a place – and ideally, co-exist peacefully and beautifully. To live and thrive in a society where you didn’t grow up demands this.

But these finished forms are imperfect. They don't provide the satisfaction that comes from looking at something symmetrical. They are a little lopsided, a little unbalanced, but in the randomness of these pairings, they are also curious and intriguing.

The five sculptures are varied in form and contain differing quantities of each of the two elements. My approach to their construction was a bit like dropping a stone into a vessel containing two coloured liquids; you cannot anticipate the result. There is no perfect or predetermined way to combine the colours. The shape of the splash will also be different each time.

But perhaps it is the unexpected nature of this blending process that makes ‘it’ more interesting? ... Or strange!

The National Self-Portrait Prize is on show at UQ Art Museum until 18 February. I hope you get a chance to 'Look at me looking at you' if you're in the neighbourhood!

'Danpen (Fragments)' with Dale Harding's 'White ground'

Learning from a master

This is Yamaguchi san. While I was working in Arita in Kyushu in 2014 as an Asialink Artist in Residence I met Yamaguchi san - a master mould maker. Over a number of weeks, he generously opened his studio to me and shared with me his techniques and skills in mould making. I feel very lucky to have learned from such a skilled craftsman. When I returned to Australia, I continued to work on this technique of hand-carving moulds in a single shape that I could use to slip cast to construct and expand modular forms. Having focussed for quite some time on slab-built sculpture, I was excited to explore a new direction.

The image below is an outcome of this process. This piece will feature as part of a small installation of work at the Clay Intersections group exhibition at the Australian Design Centre in Sydney (28 July - 21 September 2016).

I look forward to using this technique to explore more interesting shapes and forms...and I'm forever grateful to Yamaguchi san for his generosity and to Asialink and Arts Queensland who funded my residency.

'Dome' 2016, Kenji Uranishi, slip-cast porcelain

'Clay Intersections' at Australian Design Centre, Sydney

I feel very happy to be in the great company of Bridget Bodenham, Cone 11's Colin Hopkins and Ilona Topolcsanyi, Helen Earl, Tania Rollond, Natalie Rosin and Ulrica Trulsson as part of an exhibition curated by Cath Fogarty opening at the Australian Design Centre in Sydney this week. According to Cath:

'Clay Intersections' presents the work of eight contemporary makers who take a range of innovative approaches to making and working with clay, exploring the different intersections of its sculptural and functional qualities.

Opening night is this Thursday 28 July 2016 (RSVP here) and runs until 21 September. I'll look forward to getting down to the exhibition on 2 September to do a master class alongside the talented Tania Rollond. Check out the profiles of the exhibiting artists here - I'm blown away by the beautiful work being produced in Australia!

People watching

I dropped by the Museum of Brisbane on the weekend to visit 'Momentary' with family. Each time I go into the exhibition space, I find it really interesting to see how people look at the work and interact with it in different ways. Some people stand back and take it in from a distance, some inspect it really closely, others make their way around and around the space, and I've heard a number of people discussing which is their favourite. That's one of the wonderful things about the opportunity to exhibit an installation...everyone will approach the space differently and will bring their own histories and experiences to what they see...I really like watching that process unfold.

'Momentary' is open!

What a whirlwind time it's been. My exhibition 'Momentary' which is showing alongside 'Living in the City' at the Museum of Brisbane has been open now for a month, with two months to go. If you're visiting Brisbane City, I hope you can drop by this beautiful gallery space in City Hall. We had a wonderful night at the opening - what a celebration! Heartfelt thanks Peter Denham and the wonderful Museum of Brisbane team for this opportunity (as well as to my longtime supporter and art dealer, Andrew Baker, below with my wife Sonia, my other longtime supporter!).

Some lovely pictures from the opening night by Joanne Thies for The Weekend Edition! http://theweekendedition.com.au/captured/living-city-opening-night/

Behind the scenes - part two

And here is the full length version of the video produced for my 'Momentary' exhibition at the Museum of Brisbane (by Simon Woods).

Behind the scenes

Late last year I spent a great day with the very talented film maker Simon Woods and the wonderful Museum of Brisbane team, creating a video of my making process. A shorter version of the video was released last week ahead of the opening of 'Momentary' at Museum of Brisbane with an extended version coming soon. I hope you enjoy it!

Brisbane News

Working with porcelain, I spend a lot of time in my own little world making, with Radio National keeping me company throughout the day. So it's been a very new experience for me lately to step away from the clay to be interviewed and photographed and filmed in the lead up to the opening of 'Momentary' at Museum of Brisbane. I'm not sure that it's my natural habitat, but it's wonderful to be able to share the news about the exhibition...it's getting exciting! Thank you 'Brisbane News'!

Happy New Year!

What a busy end to 2015 it was! After six solid months of making, I was so happy to see the truck roll up in December to transport my work into the Museum of Brisbane ready for my exhibition in February.

In between the making, there was writing, film and photo shoots, planning and meeting - all with the support of the wonderful Museum of Brisbane team.

I look forward to sharing more with you over the coming weeks as the exhibition draws near. But for now, you might like to check out some more details and images of the work on the 'Momentary' exhibition page over on the Museum of Brisbane Website.

Museum of Brisbane in 2016

I'm excited to share that I'll be showing an installation of ceramic sculptures at the Museum of Brisbane in February 2016! My show coincides with Living in the City: New Architecture from Brisbane and the Asia Pacific which showcases some of the exciting architectural projects in Brisbane and our nine sister cities. The exhibition is part of the inaugural Asia Pacific Architecture Forum, also happening in February in Brisbane. Needless to say, I have been VERY busy making, making, making in my studio for the last few months. I look forward to sharing more with you about the exhibition as it comes together!

'Stepping Up' in Canberra

In July I attended the 2015 Australian Ceramics Triennale in Canberra, Stepping Up. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and to get back to Canberra for the first time since completing a residency at the ANU soon after I came to Australia. This time around I was demonstrating my slab building technique alongside a number of others artists, and was part of a panel discussion with my friends Kirsten Coelho and Vipoo Srivilasa talking about our experiences working in Arita, Japan with local kilns as artists in residence. It was a great conference, and was so nice to see snow on the mountains in Australia - I think it was my first time - but it was also nice to get back to sunny Queensland!

Little South Australian Residency

In May I had a wonderful trip to Adelaide to do a short residency with the University of South Australia and TAFE South Australia. It's always great to work with students studying ceramics - they're full of good ideas and enthusiasm and as much as I hope they learn something from me in our sessions, I always learn something from them too. In addition to the workshops with students, I got to catch up with my great friend and colleague Kirsten Coelho to give a talk about our experiences in Arita, Japan where we both visited last year for residencies. I rounded off the weekend with a community masterclass which was also lots of fun. A big thank you to Julie Bartholomew at University of South Australia and to Peter Johnson and Bruce Nuske from TAFE South Australia for coordinating the residency and to the JamFactory for hosting me...and to everyone who came out for the sessions. It was my first time to Adelaide, but it won't be my last!

Group show in Melbourne!

My work is currently showing in a lovely ceramic exhibition called 'Interplay - aesthetic charm, material challenge' in Melbourne at the Malvern Artists' Society Gallery (1297 High Street Malvern, Victoria). It's on until 10 May 2015 so if you're around, please check it out!

Olsen Irwin

Very exciting exhibition opening is on tonight in Sydney.

Contemporary Clay - Featuring Prue Venables, Stephen Bird, Kenji Uranishi, Titania Henderson, Neville French, Gwyn Hassen Pigott, Milton Moon, Dan Elborne.

April 1, 2015

Material Evidence

Ceramics featuring Sandy Lockwood and Yasuhisa Kohyama