While many young ceramic artists approach pottery with a fashion-forward sensibility, Takeshi Imaizumi is one of the few who doesn't simply chase after that trend, but instead possesses a strong sense of his own identity.
His Grand Prix win at the Japan Ceramics Exhibition brought him to public attention, but what has prevented this from being a fleeting trend is his constant spirit of inquiry, which always creates a fresh atmosphere. This is what has led to his current unwavering and solid presence.
Imaizumi's style of pottery, which involves valuing both the clay and the glaze as its materials while considering its own form, is unique to him, and may also represent the dedication of a new generation.
This solo exhibition will hopefully offer a glimpse into how Imaizumi currently thinks about and perceives the form of pottery.
I hope you'll pick up and examine each piece of pottery in the venue, imagining Imaizumi's meticulous attention to detail, yet perhaps a little bit of misguided effort. And please feel free to ask Imaizumi any questions, no matter how small. I'm sure his eyes will light up as he talks about his works, including his black glaze, white porcelain, and celadon.
While keeping future developments in mind, I'm looking forward to enjoying the pottery in this solo exhibition.

Masahiro Karasawa, Head of the Crafts Department, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo