Jun Kaneko Folk Art
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.
1980s American Modern Vintage Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Paint, Ceramic, Stoneware
2010s Malaysian Modern Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Copper
Mid-20th Century Turkish Moorish Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Ceramic
2010s Malaysian Modern Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Copper
19th Century Chinese Other Antique Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Pottery
20th Century Japanese Organic Modern Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Ceramic, Wood
20th Century Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Ceramic, Porcelain
2010s Malaysian Modern Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Copper
19th Century Chinese Other Antique Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Pottery
19th Century Chinese Other Antique Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Israeli Folk Art Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Ceramic
Early 18th Century Chinese Antique Jun Kaneko Folk Art
Jun Kaneko folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
- 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.