A fabulous deeply textured bowl from Tokoname, the reddish earth covered in thin flying ash by veteran potter Shibata Masaaki enclosed in the original signe wooden box titled simply Shizen-yu Wan.It is roughly 12 cm (5 inches9 diameter, 9.5 cm (just less than 4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Born in Tokoname in 1949, the artist graduated from Asahigaoka High School’s Department of Fine Arts in 1967. His career began with participation in notable exhibitions such as the 26th Scripps College Invitational Ceramic Exhibition in 1969. In 1970, he contributed to the creation of ceramic benches for EXPO 1970 and took part in the Tokoname Sculpture Group project. In 1971, was selected for the 2nd Hakone Contemporary International Sculpture Exhibition. Between 1971 and 1973, he traveled to the United States, culminating in a two-person exhibition with Hara Teruo in Washington, D.C, later returning to Scripps College in 1973 for the 29th Invitational Ceramic Exhibition. His work received international recognition garnering Silver Prize at the Vallauris International Ceramic Biennale in 1979. In the following years, he exhibited at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition winning the Chōza Prize as well as the Grand Prize at the Chōza Prize Ceramic Art Exhibition in 1991. His work has since been exhibited throughout Asia, including Korea, Thailand then later in Europe in France and Latvia. Throughout his extensive career, Shibata has continually pushed the boundaries of ceramic art, gaining international recognition and contributing significantly to both artistic and educational fields.
