About Shibui Gallery

I would ask you to consider pottery not only for its utility but also to see it as an abstract plastic art. A very pure art which connects the art of painting and sculpture….. the words of William Staite Murray 1935, a English artist potter

Shibui gallery endeavours to introduce modern and contemporary ceramics and in particular ceramics from Japan where they are viewed as a fine art.

The twentieth century saw a resurgance of Japanese ceramics with modern expressions based on historical and regional traditions and continuing with contemporary innovative ceramic sculpture. Todays Japanese ceramic artists enjoying international popularity with world wide exhibitions and works being collected enthusiastically by museums and collectors alike together with examples from the early 20th century masters.

In recent years similar attention and acknowledgement has been given to British ceramic artist many of whom are widely appreciated in Japan. It is our objective to add some of these artists alongside the works of Bernard Leach we now offer.

His pots they did not reach out and grab you, they were fulfilled within themselves, and did not seem to care whether you liked them or not, these were his Shibui pots

Janet Leach referring to Hamada Shoji

We have introduced a Mingei section of old and new objects which we feel complement the modern and contemporary ceramics. Some of the pottery being ancient types from which the modern artists drew their inspiration.

It is this beauty with inner implications that is referred to as Shibui… It is beauty that makes an artist of the viewer – Soetsu Yanagi, founder of the Mingei movement