by Tamara Moscowitz

Once considered in the category of arts and crafts, ceramics has made a slow transition from being defined as a “craft” to “art” now high on the list for purchase by sophisticated Japanese art collectors and an art object sought after by museums for its permanent collection.

An unusual exhibition on post-war Japanese contemporary ceramics, the first of a trio, is a tour de force conceived and organized by Joan Mirviss one of the foremost dealers in the US who specializes in Japanese ceramics and Japanese fine art. The exhibitions – ten years in the making – is a step to bringing recognition to the brilliance, range, and exceptional technical mastery of a group of pioneering artists who are esteemed in Japan, but who are relatively unknown outside their country.

“Kondõ Yutaka: The Transformation of A Traditional Kyoto Family,” now on view tells the story, through ceramics, of a distinguished Japanese family’s journey from samurai warriors to master ceramicist. Created in collaboration with the Kondõ family whose son Kondõ Yutaka [1932-1983] was a member of a Kyoto samurai family and was the son of a celebrated ceramicist Kondõ Yuzo [1902-1985].

Now the third generation of clay artists, Kondõ Takahiro [1958- ] carries on the tradition, but through extensive travels and teaching, he created a contemporary style with his own poetic and abstract sensibility.

More than forty works are available, including selections from the family collection of the grandfather Yüzô and brother Hiroshi. Through December 17, 2010.

The second exhibition will be at the Winter Antiques Show from January 21-30, 2011 will include over thirty works from contemporary clay masters, and the finale “ “Birds of Dawn: Pioneers of the Sôdeisha Movement,” opens during Asia Week on Mach 16, 2011. http://www.mirviss.com/, (212) 799-4021.

(Editor’s Note: VandM.com dealers Vintage Views, Verrano Antiques, and Center 44, offer a collection of Japanese ceramics worth checking out.)