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.
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
$1,870
H 40 in W 83 in
Vivid Blossoming Arcs II Triptych, Acrylic on Watercolor Paper, 2025
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
“Vivid Blossoming Arcs II” is a striking triptych that channels the spirit of the Bauhaus movement through precise geometric composition and a masterful command of color. Each panel ...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
$890
H 28 in W 40 in
Mauve Tulip, Bauhaus Arches Patterns, Pastel Tones Architecture Harmony, Paper
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. Mauve Tulip is a study in rhythm, geometr...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
$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
$1,820
H 40 in W 83 in
Abstract Wavy Beach, Blue and Yellow, Bauhaus Mosaic Triptych, Geometry Patterns
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Abstract Wavy Beach” is a striking triptych that channels the spirit of the Bauhaus movement through precise geometric composition and a masterful command of color. Each panel weave...
Paper, Oil, Acrylic
$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
$1,840
H 29.1 in W 74 in
Mediterranean Patterns, Blue, Yellow, Multi Panel Painting, Paper, Abstract Fish
By Enric Servera
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us...
Oil Crayon, Oil, Archival Paper
$1,230
H 40 in W 55.2 in
Golden Hour Mobile, Organic Diptych, Violet Mid Century Shapes, Acrylic Paint
By Ryan Rivadeneyra
Located in Barcelona, ES
Details: Title: Golden Hour Mobile Medium: Acrylic Painting on Watercolor Paper Size: 100x140 cm in total (100x70 cm, each panel), 40x55.2 inches in total (40x28 inches, each panel)...
Paper, Oil
$750
H 40 in W 55.2 in
Tropical Vintage Painting of Duo of Colorful Seaweed, Purple, Yellow, Diptych
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Duo of Colorful Seaweed" is an acrylic painting on high-quality watercolor paper of minimal botanical algae, drawn and painted in the style of Henry Matisse...
Oil, Paper
$2,000
H 41.3 in W 82.7 in
Mediterranean Patterns Triptych, Multi Panel Painting on Paper, Abstract Fish
By Enric Servera
Located in Barcelona, ES
This series by Enric Servera explores the relationship of humans to salt and seawater. The intention of these works is to submerge us into the sea, a salty treasure that surrounds us...
Oil Crayon, Oil, Archival Paper
$630
H 28 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Cosmopolitan Cocktail, Realist Modern Still Life, Bar Scene, Lime Beverage, Red
By Gio Bellagio
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 ...
Oil, Acrylic, Paper
$630
H 28 in W 20 in D 0.1 in
Snake Plant, Home Plant Pot with Oranges, Modern Still Life, Green Leaves, Gray
By Gio Bellagio
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Snake Plant" is a contemporary still-life painting portraying a beautiful Snake Plant surrounded with some ripe vibrant oranges taking center stage against a minimalistic slate gra...
Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Handmade Paper
$820
H 28 in W 40 in D 0.1 in
Archaic Greek Pots Diptych, Ceramic Patterns Vessel, Acrylic Painting on Paper
By Gio Bellagio
Located in Barcelona, ES
This modern still life diptych by Gio Bellagio is inspired by ancient Greek ceramic vessels. The pots are adorned with minimalist patterns reminiscent of Greek geometry, emphasising...
Paper, Oil
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
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