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.
$68,000Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$10,500Sale Price|30% Off
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
$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
$2,000
H 16 in W 15 in D 14 in
Four Three Two One, 21st Century Contemporary Surrealist Ceramic Sculpture
By Kristen Newell
Located in Beachwood, OH
Kristen Newell (American, b. 1989) Four Three Two One, 2015 Stoneware, porcelain and acrylic Signed and dated on bottom 16 x 15 x 14 inches Kristen Newell was born in a small town on the coast of Massachusetts, where from a very early age, she demonstrated a strong propensity for the arts. Important additional inspiration came from her family and from the family of a childhood friend, where Kristen found herself surrounded by the work of Paul Manship, her friend’s grandfather and one of America’s greatest sculptors. With increased focus on her art, along with winning numerous awards throughout high school, Newell eagerly enrolled in the arts program at University of Vermont and augmented her studies with a valuable year at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Upon graduation, Newell moved back to Cleveland to begin her art career and started participating in group shows, including River Gallery and the Ohio State...
Porcelain, Stoneware, Acrylic
$437Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.27 in W 13 in
Gates No.1 Abstract Painting, Oil & Crayon on Paper, 1976, Unframed
By George Dannatt
Located in Bournemouth, Dorset
George Dannatt (1915-2009) 'Gates' No 1 1976 Medium: Oil & crayon on oil wash Image: 21.0 x 33.0 cm Reference no: 0450 George Dannatt’s long career as a painter and sculptor ended ...
Paper, Oil Crayon, Mixed Media, Oil
$703
H 17.72 in W 3.94 in
Dancing male figure, terracotta sculpture, 1930s-40s, Giorgio Rossi (1894-1981)
Located in Firenze, IT
Dancing male figure, terracotta sculpture, 1930s-40s, Giorgio Rossi (1894-1981). Terracotta modeled by hand by the artist. Unique piece. Dimensions: Height 45 cm. The choice of ter...
Terracotta
$950
H 9 in W 6.5 in D 7 in
"Resonance" Metallic Raku glazed ceramic abstract stoneware sculpture
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
Stunning hand-pitched Raku metallic glazed, speckled stoneware ceramic sculpture by Jessamyn Go. Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the visceral, meditative experience of workin...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Organic Rhythm IV - White ceramic abstract sculpture
By Jessamyn Go
Located in East Quogue, NY
White stoneware, white crawl glaze, white glazed ceramic bowl sculpture by Jessamyn Go. Size: 5 high x 12 wide x 7 inches deep Jessamyn Go's work is deeply rooted in the visceral...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
$3,750
H 11.5 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Bust of Josephine Baker, Mid-Century Ceramic Female Face
By Vally Wieselthier
Located in Beachwood, OH
Attributed to Vally Wieselthier (Austrian-American, 1895-1945) Bust of Josephine Baker, c. 1930 Ceramic Stamped on base 11.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches Vally Wieselthier (1895 Vienna--1945 ...
Ceramic
$4,250
H 8.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
Early 20th Century Ceramic Bust of a Woman, Cleveland School Artist
Located in Beachwood, OH
Edris Eckhardt (American, 1905-1998) Bust, 1933 Ceramic Signed and dated base 8.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches, including base Minor losses to paint on base. Born in Cleveland, Ohio January ...
Ceramic
$1,260Sale Price|30% Off
H 31 in W 43 in D 2 in
"Crescent Rose" Mixed Media Handmade Paper Watercolor Abstract by Bruce Weinberg
By Bruce Weinberg
Located in Soquel, CA
"Crescent Rose" Mixed Media Handmade Paper Watercolor Abstract by Bruce Weinberg Soft lavenders, magentas and gray tones highlighted with purple thread and sheets of gold leaf mingle to create a soft and lovely abstract on handmade paper by California artist Bruce Weinberg (American, 1942-1994). Image is floated on a silk background. Pencil signed and dated "Bruce Weinberg 1980" lower right. Pencil signed title "Crescent Rose" lower left. Displayed in a giltwood frame with spacer. Image size: 24"H x 35"L. Framed size: 31"H x 43"W x 2"D. Bruce Weinberg was a long time resident of the San Francisco Bay Area. He studied Interior Design at the Philadelphia College of Art and Architectural Space Planning at Temple University. During the 1970s he studied printmaking and drawing at San Francisco's Fort Mason...
Mixed Media, Handmade 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
Large Blanc de Chine Figure Of Guanyin
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Large 35" tall, fine detail porcelain Dehua Blanc de Chine figure of Kwan Yin, early 20th Century. The goddess is clothed in a voluminous flowing robe which is open at the chest to r...
Porcelain
$2,500
H 22 in W 28 in D 0.13 in
Abstract Expressionist Oil Crayon, Acrylic "Rigoletto Schiudete", by David Ronce
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Oil Crayon "Rigoletto Schiudete", Original Work by David Ronce Engaging and energetic piece by David Ronce (American 20th/21st Century. The piece features a h...
Paper, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
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