John Baymore on sat 1 jul 00
Date: 06/29/2000 8:47 PM
RE: Onda (Onta) Pottery Show in Boston
Hi all in CLAYART-land.
I was down in the Boston area doing some kiln consulting work and want to=
mention a show that I saw while I was in town that anyone who is anywhere=
in the area might want to stop in and see.
The Pucker Gallery on Newbury Street in Boston has a wonderful show up
right now of pottery from the tiny pottery village of Onda (sometimes
pronounced Onta), or sometimes called Onda Sarayama ("Onda's
PlateMountain"). This is a village that was much discussed by Yanagi
Soetsu in the formative years of the Mingei movement. It is the subject =
of
a great B+W film shot many years ago by Robert and Edith Sperry called "T=
he
Village Potters of Onda". Also a facinating sociology book (a real must
read) by Brian Moran called "Folk Potters of Japan", if I am remembering
correctly.
I saw that particular film in my first ceramics course back in the 60's..=
..
and it really connected with me. It was a significant factor in starting=
a
lifetime of study of Japanese ceramics and a career. So getting to this
show was sort of special for me. When I was in Japan I didn't have the
time to get to visit Onda. So this was a nice treat.
While true Mingei often tends to sort of be "killed by it's success" once=
it is "discovered" and the craftspeople are no longer "innocent and
untainted" by the commercial world...... the pots out of Onda still have =
a
pretty nice folkcraft quality. They have some great examples of kushime
(combing), hakeme (rough slip application), and tobikana (jumping iron
chatter mark) decoration. Pieces in the show range from yunomi (day-to-d=
ay
teacups) to large storage and pickling jars.
It is a great show ......but you'll have to hurry. It is only on through=
July 5th. If you are the aquisitive type, there are numerous pices in th=
e
show that are under $100. Everything is suprisingly reasonable. (In
keeping with the Mingei philosophy ??????) When I was there quite a few=
pieces were still available. (Yes.... I did buy .) I believe there
were something like 500 pieces in all that the Pucker aquired. They have=
some pieces not put out in the main gallery too.
Also ........ while I was there I was told by Mr. Pucker that Shimaoka
Tatsuzo will once again be having an exhibition there in September. =
(That's a real MUST SEE!)
And Phil Rodgers will have a show there in January. I saw the pots. Wha=
t
an incredible body of work!!!!!!!!!! Powerful. See it if you can.
They also have an ongoing large collection of Brother Thomas's work in on=
e
of the upstairs galleries. Always impressive. Stellar glazes.
The Pucker Gallery is at 171 Newbury Street and they have a website at
puckergallery.com. You'll have to call them for hours...... I haven't a
clue. =
Enjoy.
Best,
.......................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
603-654-2752 (s)
800-900-1110 (s)
JBaymore@compuserve.com
John.Baymore@GSD-CO.com
"Earth, Water, and Fire Noborigama Woodfiring Workshop August 18-27,
2000"
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