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 Monumental Art Studio Pottery Ceramic Wall Sculpture Charger
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly breathtaking work by renowned Japanese born ceramic master Jun Kaneko. Kaneko studied with Peter Voulkos, Paul Soldner, and Jerry Rothman and was exposed to such artist as Ken Price and John...
Paint, Ceramic, Stoneware
Two-Tone Square Plate / Wall Panel by Jun Kaneko
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Stamford, CT
A black and white square plate / wall hanging by Jun Kaneko. Signed and dated "Kaneko 93" on back.
Ceramic
Jun Kaneko Glazed Earthenware Oval Plate
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Stamford, CT
Jun Kaneko (b. 1942) glazed earthenware oval plater wall hanging. Signed, dated 94-8-11. circa 1994. Omaha, NE.
Earthenware
Circular Plate / Wall Panel by Jun Kaneko
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Stamford, CT
A black and white circular plate/wall hanging by Jun Kaneko. Signed and dated "Kaneko 93" on back.
Ceramic
Sky Ceramic Plate Hand Painted Glazed Earthenware Italian, Contemporary
Located in London, GB
Hand painted ceramic plate "Sky" series by Pantoù Ceramics, hand thrown and hand painted glazed earthenware. All unique pieces, Italy, 2019. Measure: 40 cm diameter. Pantoù Cerami...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Turkish Ottoman Scene Polychrome Hand Painted Ceramic Vase Kutahya
By Iznik Pottery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A small Kütahya style polychrome hand painted and handcrafted glazed ceramic decorative vase with an Ottoman scene. This is an intricately, hand painted vase that was made in Marmara, Turkey: Kütahya is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles and pottery, which are glazed and multicolored. It has a beautifully hand painted scene with Ottomans princes enjoying the outdoors, surrounded by flowers in burgundy, turquoise, light and dark blue and green foliage. An Islamic ceramic...
Ceramic
$300Sale Price|33% Off
H 1.38 in W 13.25 in D 10.58 in
1874 Minton Chinese Blue and White Transferware Platter
By Minton
Located in Sheffield, MA
An antique 19th century Minton Chinese blue and white transferware platter. It has a lovely pastoral scene. The underside is marke...
Pottery
$1,400
H 19 in W 19 in D 1.5 in
Exquisite Vintage Persian Hand-Painted Ceramic Tile Wall Hanging - 19”x 19”x 1.5
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Immerse your space in the timeless beauty of the East with this stunning Persian ceramic tile wall hanging. This captivating piece, showcases nine individually hand-painted tiles m...
Metal
Vintage Hand Painted Set of Four Tiles Wall Hanging
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional tile wall hanging viewing Horse rider Hunter in open field, lush landscape with two deers. Beautiful blue background, all framed with intricate green and turquoise hand p...
Cut Steel
$236Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.32 in W 5.91 in D 4.53 in
19th Century French Glazed Earthenware Alsace Jug
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful piece of Alsace pottery with a very rare green glaze, France, circa 1850-1900. Good but weathered condition.
Earthenware
$4,250
H 33.25 in W 25 in D 3 in
"Samson and the Lion, " Large, Rare Art Deco Sculptural Panel with Tile Mosaic
By Valentin Shabaeff
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A tour de force example of Art Deco wall sculpture, this depiction of Samson slaying the lion was made by Valentin Shabaeff, a Russian-Canadian artist who settled in Montreal. Shabae...
Ceramic
$10,000
H 0.88 in Dm 9.5 in
1940s Pablo Picasso Abstract Face Black Plate B Visage Noir Devil Madoura Ramie
By Pablo Picasso
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Black face service plate, glazed white earthenware, painted in colors; white, orange, and deep greys. Made in 1948, from an edition of 100, inscribed 'EDITION PICASSO' and 'B', with ...
Stoneware
Chinese Jun Ware Streak Glazed Art Pottery Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish good quality Chinese Jun Ware pottery bowl decorated with streaked glazes on a red and pale blue glazed ground dating from the latter 19th o...
Pottery
Large Spanish Glazed Terracotta Granada "Lebrillo" Earthenware Bowl
Located in Marbella, ES
Large Spanish handmade and painted white and green glazed terracotta "lebrillo" earthenware bowl in the style typical of Granada.
Ceramic
Chinese Jun Ware Blue & Red Hares Fur Glazed Art Pottery Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish good quality Chinese Jun Ware pottery bowl decorated with blue over red hares fur glazes and dating from the latter 19th or 20th century. The well potted bowl stands r...
Ceramic
Sculpture Form No_002 by AOAO
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture form no_002 by AOAO Dimensions: W 37 x D 4 x H 47 cm Materials: plaster Color options available upon request. The idea was born after deciding to reconnect with my family and my grandfather – a sculptor artist. Learning to sculpt and being a designer compelled me to combine these two mediums and use their best values. Experimenting with the functionality of sculpture and the meaning of furniture led me to create the collection. Studio AOAO is an interdisciplinary studio combining art and design. It was created by Alicja Strzyzynska and Onur Iseri in Amsterdam in 2020. “We specialise in making sculptural pieces by experimenting with the functionality of sculpture and the meaning of furniture. In our works, we focus on the emotional connection between the object and the user. All of our work seeks the experience of intimacy and the metaphysical bond between personal interaction and meaningful narrative. Through sculptural value and reflective design, we aim to create pieces that last for generations and help reduce environmental waste.” The inspiration to sculpt came from Alicja’s roots, her grandfather – an artist sculptor. Alicja completed Masters of Arts Degree in Product and Visual Communication Design at Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts and finished her bachelor degree in Interior Architecture. Alicja previously worked in Tokyo and Amsterdam in architectural design studios. Onur completed his business studies in Japan and worked in digital design & marketing as well as teaching in Tokyo. The studio’s first collection debuted at Rossana Orlandi Gallery during Milan Design Week 2021. The studio currently collaborates with RO Gallery...
Plaster
Ceramic Plate with Abstract Glaze Wall Sculpture by Jun Kaneko
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large ceramic plate as a wall hanging sculpture by Jun Kaneko (1942-) made in 1990. The Japanese-born American ceramic artist, based in Omaha, Nebraska is known for crating ceramic sculpture with abstract and expressive glaze pattern. Many of his large ceramic installation...
Ceramic
Large Ceramic Charger by Jun Kaneko
By Jun Kaneko
Located in Stamford, CT
Jun Kaneko is a Japanese artist who lives in Omaha Nebraska. He is best known for his monumental "Dango" pieces that resemble 6'+ height Celts. Though there is no known relationship ...
Ceramic