Mingei: Are You Here? 80 works by 30 artists

Mar 19

Mingei: Are You Here? showcases old and new crafts from Japan.

I walked into Pace Gallery here in New York City last weekend to a nice little surprise.

They are exhibiting the legacy of Mingei, a Japanese folk craft movement from the 1920s. The display and the quality of the collection made me feel like I was in a museum!

The Mingei movement explored cultural identities when Japan was experiencing rapid growth and westernization in the early part of the last century.

Soetsu Yanagi, founder of the movement, discovered beauty in everyday ordinary and utilitarian objects created by unknown craftsmen.

At Japan Suite, we are passionate about presenting respected and known craftspeople, but we are equally passionate about discovering new and unknown artists who will carry this great tradition forward.

As such, we want to honor Yanagi-san’s philosophy. In this spirit, we are excited to work with artists who understand these philosophies — artists who are honoring the past traditions, while also adding their unique interpretations to the legacy of Japanese crafts.

Here is a beautiful quote from Yanagi.
“Beauty must have some room, must be associated with freedom”

Japan Suite

Showcasing traditional Japanese crafts and the artisans who create them — their stories and their art in words and visions. Japan’s hand-made crafts have played an integral role in the lives of Japanese for centuries. They are created in response to basic, everyday needs and have long been used in the daily rhythms of life. They come from the earth and from nature, and they are prized for their simplicity and long life. Craftspeople pour their passion, pride and energy into their handiwork, creating objects that can far outlive their creators, but in doing so, they carry on the artist’s legacy. The artisans know their objects can live hundreds of years, and they want to be just as proud of it in 100 years as they are today. So, everyday household items take on a life of their own, their own spirit and their own story. They are unique, one-of-a-kind creations with a character and spirit that grows stronger with regular use. The artist creates the object, but that is just the beginning of the journey. In the hands of its owner, a relationship is created, one that is nurtured across time. Just as we do, these creations will change over time developing new imperfections and new character. Each region and each artisan have their own character. In Japan, this is known as meibutsu. The legacy has been passed down by Japanese artists across time down to today’s craftspeople who are advancing and redefining this tradition. We applaud these artisans, and we strive to support them as they re-interpret the heritage of their predecessors — and we are proud to introduce their work, their stories and the passion they put into their creation here at Japan Suite.

Mingei: Are You Here? 80 works by 30 artists

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