Nagae Shigekazu (b. 1953) is one of the leading pioneers of porcelain casting and firing techniques in Japan. Casting alone cannot achieve the natural movements found within Nagae’s forms. It is from the intensity of his gas-kiln fires which help mould, shape and curve his delicate white porcelain, thereby giving birth to sleek and razor-thin silhouettes that have become Nagae trademarks.

Described as Forms in Succession they are essentially porcelain objects that contain individually casted shapes that are attached together. After each separate shape is slip- casted through a bisque-firing, they are combined by glazing the joints and suspending the work in mid-air within the kiln.

His popularity and recognition as an artist have skyrocketed, with acquisitions by the V&A in London, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Australia in recent years. In addition to the following collections; Cernuschi Museum, Paris; Cleveland Museum ; Minneapolis Institute of Art; Museum of Fine Arts Boston; Japan Foundation, NYC