Sokyo (381-2 Motomachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan) is pleased to present ‘Hideyuki Hayashi: A Retrospective Exhibition’
Hayashi Hideyuki, who has unfortunately passed away on 29 March 2024 at the age of 87, was active in the Japanese ceramic art world for many years and was much loved by many people. His work is highly regarded for its unique style and technique, and for its fusion of traditional Japanese pottery culture with the contemporary art scene. This exhibition will feature Hayashi's representative works from the past to the most recent spanning five decades. More than 90 works will be on display, ranging from object works to tea bowls and vessels.
As one of the members of ‘Sodeisha’, a group that created innovative trends in the world of ceramics, Hayashi has been a leading figure in contemporary ceramics through his object and sculptural works. He has emphasized the value and importance of craftsmanship in ceramics and its role and responsibility within Japanese pottery culture. His practice focused on the close connection of ceramics to the everyday life and the diversity reflected within Kyoto's pottery scene. As an artist involved with ceramics, Hayashi’s work recognizes the importance of cultural inheritance and development.
Throughout his career, Hayashi has created many avant-garde objects which have emphasized on intuition and hand-made processes rather than methodical planning. He recognized that his practice was considerably ‘backwards’ and primitive in a world that pursued rationality and efficiency, but he also believed that this ‘backwardness’ was precisely what made things compelling.
Bringing attention and great importance to the Japanese ceramic world, we hope that this retrospective exhibition will celebrate Hayashi’s artistic legacy and honor his many years of achievement made through his artworks.
Hideyuki Hayashi
Born in Kyoto in 1937. Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Department of Sculpture. Eldest son of the Hayashi family (Younger brother is the third generation; Hayashi Benimura). Became a member of Sodeisha in 1964 (remained a member until its dissolution in 1998), and since then has been one of the leading figures in contemporary ceramic art.
Major exhibitions include: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Centre Pompidou, Paris; Musée de la Céramique, Sèvres (France); Kyoto City Museum of Art (Japan); The National Museum of Art, Osaka (Japan); Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum (Japan); and many others.
Collections include: Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; The National Museum of Art, Osaka (Japan); Kyoto City Museum of Art (Japan); Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum (Japan); The Museum of Modern Art, Saitama (Japan); Takamatsu Art Museum (Japan); Los Angeles County Museum of Art (USA); Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche, Faenza (Italy); Bertrand Museum, Châteauroux (France); Musée des Arts décoratifs, Paris (France); Everson Museum (USA); Musée Ariana, Geneva (Switzerland); The European Ceramic Workcentre, Oisterwijk (The Netherlands), and many others.
