Jun Kaneko is a Japanese-born American ceramic artist and painter. He is largely known for his large-scale hand-built clay sculptures he calls dangos, which is Japanese for dumpling and refers to their rounded forms. Reaching heights of at least eight feet, these monumental, often abstract ceramic works are aimed at civic engagement and are intended to promote viewers to get involved in issues of public concern.
Kaneko began to explore his creative side during his high school years in Japan where he studied painting. In 1963, Kaneko moved to the United States and continued his studies at the Chouinard Art Institute.
Kaneko was drawn to ceramic sculpture after having been introduced to Fred Marer, a professor of mathematics at Los Angeles City College and a lifelong collector of contemporary ceramics. Marer had built deep relationships with the major West Coast ceramic artists that were represented in his vast collection — which was later donated to Scripps College — and owing to Kaneko’s connection to Marer, the budding Japanese artist studied during the mid-1960s with the likes of Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner and Jerry Rothman, each a seminal figure in the development of American contemporary ceramics.
Kaneko later taught at art schools and, in 1986, moved to Nebraska, which is his primary residence today. In 1990, Kaneko opened his third studio in Nebraska and has also worked at a variety of experimental studios in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Over the years Kaneko has created costumes and sets for opera productions and has built more than 70 large-scale public installations — both temporary and permanent. His work can be seen in Canada, China and Jakarta, in locations across the United States and elsewhere. Kaneko’s sculptures are also held in the collections of more than 80 museums. The ceramist has received a number of awards over the years including a Commendation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, a Gold Medal for Consummate Craftsmanship from the American Craft Council and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center.
Find original Jun Kaneko sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.
Dango Ceramic Sculpture by Jun Kaneko, 21st Century, 40x38x15 in
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Jun Kaneko Title: Dango Medium: Fired Clay Ceramic Sculpture Size: 40" x 38" x 15" Year: 2003 Jun Kaneko's "Dango" (2003) reflects the artist's longstanding engagement with ...
Ceramic
Jun Kaneko Signed 1998 Original Oil Stick and Ink on Paper
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Jun Kaneko Title: Untitled Medium: Oil Stick and Ink on Paper Dimensions: 43" × 29.25" Year: 1998 Inscription: Signed bottom front, "Kaneko 98" Jun Kaneko's untitled paintin...
Paper, Oil
Drawing 02-02-16
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Phoenix, AZ
sumi ink and oil stick on Korean paper (72 x 61.5 x 1.5 inches, framed) b. 1942, Nagoya, Japan Jun Kaneko’s most recognized sculptural form is the boldly glazed, monumental dango (...
Oil Crayon, Sumi Ink, Handmade Paper
$19,000
Untitled
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Best known for his large-scale, monumental dango (Japanese for “rounded form”) sculptures, Jun Kaneko makes glazed ceramicsm that resemble inflated, three-dimensional canvases. Often...
Mixed Media, Handmade Paper
$520
H 22 in W 15 in
"The Couple", Abstract, Minimalist, Gold Leaf, Watercolor Painting
By Anita Loomis
Located in Franklin, MA
"The Couple" by Anita Loomis is a quiet but rich 22 x 15 inch watercolor of a couple depicted in minimalist abstract form inspired by simple, elegant native...
Mixed Media, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
$250
H 15 in W 11.5 in D 0.1 in
Las Mascaras XIV. From Las Mascaras (The masks) Series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This series draws inspiration from Hatillo’s Fiesta de los Santos Inocentes, translating the festival’s vibrant movement and collective energy into a refined abstract vocabulary. Thr...
Paper, Oil Crayon, Pastel
Still Life with Oranges - France 19th century
Located in PARIS, FR
French School, 19th century. Still life with oranges. Oil on canvas mounted on panel. 22.5 x 54 cm (49 x 60,5 cm with frame) without signature
Paper, Oil, Panel
$425Sale Price|50% Off
H 40 in W 55.2 in
Refreshing Gelato, Yellow & Blue Modern Painting, Diptych, Stripped Cabin Beach
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Refreshing Gelato Grid" is an abstract painting by Spanish artist Natalia Roman. It is a beautiful series of rhythmic brushstrokes combined with subtle tones and unique shapes that is both classy and fresh. The use of vivid colors on a white background reminds the beautiful vintage beach cabins...
Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Archival Paper
$28,000
H 7.75 in W 7.5 in
Robert Rauschenberg -Snowflake Crime XIX ACE Gallery Coll unique signed painting
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in New York, NY
Historic, institutional quality unique Rauschenberg signed work on paper, with storied provenance: a real gem: Robert Rauschenberg 'Snowflake Crime XIX', from the ACE Gallery Collec...
Fabric, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Handmade Paper, Permanent Marker
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 5.5 in D 5 in
Tall Metallic Palladium Abstract Expressionist Brutalist Totem Sculpture
By Judy Engel
Located in Hudson, NY
Hand built heavily glazed solid ceramic structure by NY artist Judy Engel. Expressionist style hand built and heavily glazed in a high metallic palladium glaze. Judy's first introduction to this style was the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY. "In the 1970s, upstate school kids...
Ceramic, Glaze
$717
H 65 in W 50 in D 0.2 in
Colorful painting on paper, Unique piece, Abstract Expressionist
Located in Carballo, ES
TUSET (1997, A Coruña, España) Mixed media painting on paper Ready to frame One-of-a-kind Signed on back Includes certificate of authenticity 2021 65 x 50 cm. It belongs to the ser...
Paper, Oil Crayon, Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Pencil
$5,264Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.52 in W 1.78 in D 0.79 in
Mother Goddess Figurine, Early Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3500 - 2800 BC)
Located in Paris, Île-de-France
Mother Goddess Figurine Early Indus Valley Civilization (circa 3500 - 2800 BC) Handmade pottery, 140 mm x 45 mm, 60 g Provenance: Prince Collection, 1990s-2014; Pierre Bergé Colle...
Clay, Terracotta
French Oil Painting - The Cat's Meow
Located in Houston, TX
Whimsical oil on paper painting of a tabby cat resting on a rug and backed by large abstract cat forms, circa 1940. Signed lower left. Original artwork on paper displayed on a whit...
Oil, Paper
$1,000
H 60 in W 60 in D 0.1 in
Untitled 4. From La materialidad del tiempo (The Materiality of Time) Series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
La Materialidad del Tiempo, Juan Carlos Amador grounds his recent work in two essential elements: cellulose and time. Using reclaimed wooden moldings from the 1980s and ’90s-original...
Paper, Oil Crayon
$810
H 28 in W 40 in
Rhombus Color Study, Pastel Tones Brutalist Geometry, Gray, Blue, PInk, Diptych
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
These series of paintings by Natalia Roman gather their inspiration from geometric, minimalist shapes and paintings from the beginning of Modernism, with a special emphasis on Art De...
Oil, Paper
$630
H 28 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Cosmopolitan Cocktail, Realist Modern Still Life, Bar Scene, Lime Beverage, Red
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Cosmopolitan Cocktail" is a contemporary still life, where a cosmopolitan cocktail takes center stage, exuding elegance and sophistication. The vibrant, crimson-hued drink rests in ...
Acrylic, Paper, Oil
Polka Dot Tile
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jun Kaneko Polka Dot Tile Stoneware, Glaze 1990 Approx. 18.5 x 15 x 1 in COA provided Comes with papers Ref.: 90-9-41 Ref.: 924802-1008 "Scale in nature pr...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Drawing 02-09-37
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Phoenix, AZ
sumi ink and oil stick on Korean paper (72 x 61.5 x 1.5 inches, framed) b. 1942, Nagoya, Japan Jun Kaneko’s most recognized sculptural form is the boldly glazed, monumental dango (...
Oil Crayon, Sumi Ink, Handmade Paper
Two Cubes (on Tray)
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jun Kaneko Two Cubes (on Tray) Ceramic, Glaze 1984 13 x 24 x 14 in Signed and dated (bottom) COA provided Ref.: 924802-1006 "Scale in nature presents a great challenge to all object...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Stoneware Charger
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jun Kaneko Title : "Stoneware Charger" Materials : Large Stoneware Charger with Pastel, Gray and Black Striped Ground Date: 1981 Dimensions : 22.2...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Drawing 02-09-24
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Phoenix, AZ
sumi ink and oil stick on Korean paper 72 x 61.5 x 1.5 inches framed Jun Kaneko’s interest in art making began during his adolesence in Japan, where he studied painting with Satosh...
Paper, Ink, Sumi Ink, Oil
Untitled (Dango)
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jun Kaneko Title: Untitled (Dango) Year: 2014 Material: Glazed Ceramic Size: 22.5 x 12 x 9 inches Signed "Scale in nature presents a great challenge to all object-makers. Mountains,...
Ceramic, Glaze
1123
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Phoenix, AZ
glazed ceramic
Ceramic, Glaze
1122
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Phoenix, AZ
glazed ceramics
Ceramic
Untitled (Dango)
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Morton Grove, IL
stoneware and glaze
Stoneware, Glaze
Sold
H 69 in W 26 in D 20 in
Ceramic Head Pair Covered in Glass Mosaic with Steel Stands by Jun Kaneko, 2016
By Jun Kaneko
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jun Kaneko's ambitious work tests the physical limitations of the ceramic material. Prolific and world renowned, these contemplative head forms are a signature within the artist's c...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Sold
H 17 in W 19.5 in D 1.5 in
Small Raku Wall Slab by Jun Kaneko, Wall Mounted Ceramic with Painterly Glazing
By Jun Kaneko
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jun Kaneko's work is a marriage of painting and ceramics, utilizing the sculptural forms to inform the painterly glaze application, design, and color palette. With the added beauty ...
Ceramic, Clay, Glaze
Sold
H 24.75 in W 13.75 in D 9 in
Untitled Dango by Jun Kaneko, Two Foot Tall Ceramic Form with Colorful Glaze
By Jun Kaneko
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jun Kaneko's dango forms are a wonder of ceramics. Elegant and refined in shape, with a variety of glazes applied. The surfaces can range from a perfectly applied single color, to ...
Ceramic, Clay, Glaze