Jun Kaneko Art
Japanese, American, b. 1942
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.
to
1
1
1
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
1
2
3
1
1
10
527
180
162
145
1
1
1
Period: 1990s
Artist: Jun Kaneko
Untitled Glazed Slab (Oval)
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Kansas City, MO
Jun Kaneko
Untitled Glazed Slab (Oval)
Ceramic, Glaze
1990
Approx. 26 x 22 x 4 in
Signed and dated (verso)
COA provided
Ref.: 90-9-41
Ref.: 924802-1007
"Scale in nature presents a ...
Category
1990s Modern Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glaze
Related Items
Breathtaking John Glick "Scalloped Basket" Glazed Stoneware Reduction Fired
Located in Detroit, MI
"Scalloped Basket" is a stoneware piece with the decorative layer of the rich toned glazes and markings that John was so well-known for. He was, also, known for the undulating lip lines on his exquisite pieces. The basket portion is shaped with gentle curves and a sculptural handle. Each piece that John produced was unique. He was seduced by the effects of the reduction kiln, which decreased the levels of oxygen during firing, inducing the flame to pull oxygen out of the clay and glazes changing the colors of the glazes depending on their iron and copper content. In this way he achieved the rich gradients of ochre and umber and variations in stippling and opacity. This particular "basket" also has the cool blues and grays that contrast with the umber. It is signed and stamped on the bottom.
John was an American Abstract Expressionist ceramicist born in Detroit, MI. Though open to artistic experimentation, Glick was most influenced by the styles and aesthetics of Asian pottery—an inspiration that shows in his use of decorative patterns and glaze choices. He has said that he is attracted to simplicity, as well as complexity: my work continually reflects my re-examination that these two poles can coexist… or not, in a given series. Glick also took influences from master potters of Japan, notably Shoji Hamada and Kanjrio Kawai, blending their gestural embellishments of simple forms with attitudes of Abstract Expressionism. He was particularly drown to the work of Helen Frankenthaler whose soak-stain style resonated with Glick’s multi-layered glaze surfaces, which juxtaposed veils of atmospheric color with gestural marks and pattern. He spent countless hours developing and making his own tools in order to achieve previously unseen results in his work with clay and glaze.
Glick’s “Plum Tree Pottery...
Category
1970s American Modern Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 6 in W 11.38 in D 9 in
"Pucker", gestural, ceramic, sculpture, white, cream, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's “Pucker" is a gestural 12.5 x 10 x 10 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream constructed in white stoneware in a graceful fluid form. Individual slab forms in white are assembled and then layered in glaze in a way that emphasizes the smooth fluid quality of the form.
Sara Fine-Wilson is a contemporary sculptor based in the Boston area. In her work she explores ideas about the emerging form of our subconscious mind. She also explores material, process and pushes boundaries. Fine-Wilson is represented by Fountain Street Gallery...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 12.5 in W 10 in D 10 in
"Turn", abstract, gestural, ceramic, sculpture, cream, white, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilsons ”Turn” is a gestural 10.5 x 8 x 6.5 inch ceramic sculpture in cream and white. In this graceful and evocative sculpture individual twisted elements are assembled an...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 10.5 in W 8 in D 6.5 in
"Tousle", gestural, ceramic, white, cream, grey, blue, stoneware, sculpture
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's "Tousle" is a gestural 13 x 10 x 8.5 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream with accents of grey and blue. It is constructed out of white stoneware with porcelain...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze, Slip
"Almost", gestural, ceramic, sculpture, white, cream, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's “Almost" is a gestural 13.5 x 12 x 9 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream constructed from white stoneware. In this graceful and evocative sculpture individua...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 13.5 in W 12 in D 9 in
"Flip", gestural, ceramic, sculpture, white, cream, grey, blue, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's “Flip" is a gestural 13 x 16 x 9 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream with accents of blue and grey constructed from white stoneware. In this graceful and evo...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
"Crimp", gestural, ceramic, sculpture, white, cream, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's "Crimp" is a gestural 16.5 x 14 x 8 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream constructed in white stoneware with porcelain...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Slip, Glaze
H 16.5 in W 14 in D 8 in
"Open", gestural, ceramic, sculpture, white, cream, blue, grey, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's “Open" is a gestural 13.25 x 13.5 x 8 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream with accents of blue and grey constructed from white stoneware. In this graceful an...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 13.25 in W 13.5 in D 8 in
"Contract", gestural, ceramic, brown, black, stoneware, sculpture
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's "Contract" is a gestural 11 x 16 x 10 inch ceramic sculpture in handsome dark chocolate brown. It is constructed out of black stoneware...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 11 in W 16 in D 10 in
"Furl", gestural, contemporary, ceramic, white, cream, stoneware, sculpture
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilson's “Furl" is a gestural 13 x 16 x 9 inch ceramic sculpture in white and cream constructed from white stoneware. In this graceful and evocative sculpture individual sl...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
H 10.5 in W 13 in D 9.5 in
John Glick Plum Street Pottery Glazed Bowl Reduction Fired
Located in Detroit, MI
"Untitled" is a stoneware piece with the decorative layer of the rich toned glazes and markings that John was so well-known for. Each piece that John produced was unique. The lip on this piece is slightly scalloped and the shape is removed from the boring circular to mimic a gentle geometric design. He was seduced by the effects of the reduction kiln, which decreased the levels of oxygen during firing, inducing the flame to pull oxygen out of the clay and glazes changing the colors of the glazes depending on their iron and copper content. In this way he achieved the rich gradients of ochre and umber and variations in stippling and opacity. This piece is signed and stamped on the bottom.
John was an American Abstract Expressionist ceramicist born in Detroit, MI. Though open to artistic experimentation, Glick was most influenced by the styles and aesthetics of Asian pottery—an inspiration that shows in his use of decorative patterns and glaze choices. He has said that he is attracted to simplicity, as well as complexity: my work continually reflects my re-examination that these two poles can coexist… or not, in a given series. Glick also took influences from master potters of Japan, notably Shoji Hamada and Kanjrio Kawai, blending their gestural embellishments of simple forms with attitudes of Abstract Expressionism. He was particularly drown to the work of Helen Frankenthaler whose soak-stain style resonated with Glick’s multi-layered glaze surfaces, which juxtaposed veils of atmospheric color with gestural marks and pattern. He spent countless hours developing and making his own tools in order to achieve previously unseen results in his work with clay and glaze.
Glick’s “Plum Tree Pottery...
Category
1970s American Modern Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze
"Jagged", gestural, ceramic, sculpture, brown, white, cream, stoneware
By Sara Fine-Wilson
Located in Natick, MA
Sara Fine-Wilsons ”Jagged” is a gestural 16 x 9.5 x 6 inch ceramic sculpture in shades of brown, white and cream. In this powerful and evocative sculpture individual slab and pinched...
Category
2010s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware, Glaze, Clay, Slip
H 16 in W 9.5 in D 6 in
Previously Available Items
Wall Slab 93-01-31
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Phoenix, AZ
glazed ceramics
Jun Kaneko’s interest in art making began during his adolesence in Japan, where he studied painting with Satoshi Ogaway. In 1963 he came to the United States to c...
Category
1990s Jun Kaneko Art
Untitled, Plate 2
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Morton Grove, IL
stoneware and glaze
Beautifully handmade with a clear crackle glaze.
Category
1990s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Glaze, Stoneware
Untitled, Plate 1
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Morton Grove, IL
stoneware and glaze
Category
1990s Contemporary Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Glaze, Stoneware
Dango
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Morton Grove, IL
stoneware, underglaze and glaze
signed "Kaneko '94" on bottom
In the era of Peter Voulkos and Paul Soldner
Category
1990s Abstract Jun Kaneko Art
Materials
Stoneware
Jun Kaneko art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Jun Kaneko art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Jun Kaneko in ceramic, glaze, handmade paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Jun Kaneko art, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Niho Kozuru, Tom Otterness, and Mirko Guida. Jun Kaneko art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $5,750 and tops out at $25,000, while the average work can sell for $13,000.
Artists Similar to Jun Kaneko
Questions About Jun Kaneko Art
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Jun Kaneko is usually considered a contemporary artist. The term applies to any artist who worked after the 1950s or 1960s. Most of the Japanese-American artist's most famous works date back to the early 21st century. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Jun Kaneko art.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Jun Kaneko's colorful ceramic sculptures are diverse and colorful. A common technique he uses involves covering wall-mounted and free-standing ceramic pieces with masking tape and colored slips to create markings. Shop a selection of Jun Kaneko pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.