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.
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
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
$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
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
$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
"Olives I" -- Sculpture by Jenny Day
By Jenny Day
Located in New Orleans, LA
Jenny Day creates intricate sculptures of foods that stir memories of personal and community events. Whether a summer party, homemade dinner, or crawfish boil, these gatherings remin...
Stoneware, Glaze
$250
H 15 in W 11.5 in D 0.1 in
Las Mascaras XIV. From Las Mascaras (The masks) Series
By Juan Carlos Amador 1
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
$438Sale 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
$500
H 13 in W 20 in
House with Yellow Windows, Oil Painting, Signed, 1960s NYC Artist
By Martin Rosenthal
Located in Arp, TX
Martin Rosenthal "House with Yellow Windows" c. 1960s Encaustic & Oil paint on paper 20"x13" unframed Signed and dated in ink lower left Martin Rosenthal 1899-1974 Artist Mart...
Paper, Oil
$80,000
H 20.5 in W 23.5 in
Pablo Picasso, Visage Brun-Bleu (Ramie 2), White Earthenware Clay Plate 1947
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Long Island City, NY
Created in 1947, this early Picasso ceramic is the second that artist ever produced. It is in wonderful condition and presented in a fine black wood fra...
Clay, Glaze
$712Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 28 in
The Red Slide, Arches and Curves, Geometric Bauhaus Painting on Vivid Tones 2025
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series of abstract geometric paintings by Natalia Roman draws its inspiration from the sleek grids and curves of Bauhaus architecture, while at the same time exploring bright an...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
$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
$635
H 9 in W 9 in
Caribbean Sea - Original Textured Blue Tone Abstract Landscape Artwork Framed
By Frederic Paul
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The delicate and poetic artworks of painter Frederic Paul reference his Asian roots in expressive and elaborate compositions. Inspired by the bold colors, spices, flora, and landscap...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Rice Paper
$2,250
H 21 in W 15 in
Original Mixed Media Oil Painting Fiber Collage Mexican Amado Pena 1999
Located in Buffalo, NY
This original mixed-media work by Amado Peña Jr. exemplifies the artist’s refined synthesis of Southwestern figuration, Indigenous textile traditions, and m...
Yarn, Oil, Acrylic, Handmade Paper
$55,000
H 21 in W 17 in D 1.5 in
Charmion Von Wiegand - Intersecting Magic Square gouache on board, signed Framed
By Charmion von Wiegand
Located in New York, NY
Charmion von Wiegand Intersecting Magic Square, ca. 1963 Gouache on paperboard Signed and titled on the back of the artwork. The signature shown on the frame back is a photo of the a...
Mixed Media, Gouache, Handmade Paper, Pencil
$1,275
H 31.5 in W 38 in D 3 in
A Scene From William Shakespeare's "King Lear" Original Oil Painting c.1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
Outstanding Original Oil Painting by Mystery Artist c.1950s A scene from William Shakespeare's "King Lear" Oil on Paper, lined on canvas. The quality of this painting cannot be ...
Canvas, 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