Nagae Shigekazu (1953- ) is one of the leading pioneers of porcelain slip-casting and firing techniques in Japan. Casting is commonly associated with the mass production of functional porcelain wares, yet Nagae valiantly transcends this stereotype, ultimately elevating this technique to the avant-garde. In fact, the intensity of his kiln fires help mould, shape and curve his delicate white porcelain, thereby giving birth to sleek yet unpredictable silhouettes previously unimaginable in the context of porcelain clay.

Like fellow veteran Yufuku ceramist Mihara Ken, Nagae's popularity and recognition have skyrocketed in recent years, with acquisitions by the V&A in London, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Australia in the past 2 years alone. In 2010, Nagae has further accomplished a recently sold-out solo show in NYC in March 2010.

For his latest Yufuku exhibition featuring his current "Forms in Succession" series, Nagae has created a body of work that jolts and vibrates with an energy that transcends his past attempts at this style. Each individual part twists and turns as if animated, and one can see an artist who not only has successfully conquered the technical difficulties imposed by his material, but is now finding the space for his creativity to roam freely. At the same time, the artist has returned to his abstract conceptualism roots by creating for the first time in nearly a decade a large-scale installation piece, entitled Forms in Harmony.

We hope you enjoy the new works and installation by Nagae Shigekazu as much as we do.