
Makoto Ito
Blue Portrait, 1993
Glass
10 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Charles Bronfman
Photography: Jon Bolton
Japanese Studio Craft at RAM
February 18 – June 10, 2018
Focusing on how tradition can impact contemporary makers, Japanese Studio Craft at RAM is an exploration of small-scale craft—art jewelry, ceramics, baskets, fiber, glass, and wood—from artists with Japanese heritage.
Studio craft is most simply distinguished from the traditional version by intention. Where traditional craft has historically been used for necessity or ceremony, studio craft has emphasized artistic investigation or aesthetic contemplation. Significantly, studio craft may—or may not—be functional or be intended for practical use.
Since the later twentieth century, Japan—steeped in strong historical traditions that include woodworking, metalworking, fibers, lacquer ware, and more—has seen a greater focus on the development of craft-oriented studio practices that emphasize the artist’s interests rather than function. This has come in part from Japanese artists studying abroad who have been impacted by theories of making that have developed in places like the United States and Western Europe.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Junichi Arai, Kishi Eiko, Kyohei Fujita, Keiko Fukazawa, Kimiake Higuchi, Kazue Honma, Makoto Ito, Kiyomi Iwata, Jun Kaneko, Tamiko Kawata, Mika McCann, Keisuke Mizuno, Etsuko Nishi, Eugene Pijanowski, Hiroko Sato, Takako Saito, Yuka Saito, Toru Sato, Hisako Sekijima, Yoko Sekino-Bové, Yukihiro Shibata, Yosh Sugiyama, Akio Takamori, Tsuchida Yasuhiko, Koichiro Yamamoto, Hiroshi Yamano, Takeshi Yasuda, and Jiro Yonezawa
Japanese Studio Craft at RAM
February 18 – June 10, 2018

Makoto Ito
Blue Portrait, 1993
Glass
10 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Charles Bronfman
Photography: Jon Bolton
Focusing on how tradition can impact contemporary makers, Japanese Studio Craft at RAM is an exploration of small-scale craft—art jewelry, ceramics, baskets, fiber, glass, and wood—from artists with Japanese heritage.
Studio craft is most simply distinguished from the traditional version by intention. Where traditional craft has historically been used for necessity or ceremony, studio craft has emphasized artistic investigation or aesthetic contemplation. Significantly, studio craft may—or may not—be functional or be intended for practical use.
Since the later twentieth century, Japan—steeped in strong historical traditions that include woodworking, metalworking, fibers, lacquer ware, and more—has seen a greater focus on the development of craft-oriented studio practices that emphasize the artist’s interests rather than function. This has come in part from Japanese artists studying abroad who have been impacted by theories of making that have developed in places like the United States and Western Europe.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Junichi Arai, Kishi Eiko, Kyohei Fujita, Keiko Fukazawa, Kimiake Higuchi, Kazue Honma, Makoto Ito, Kiyomi Iwata, Jun Kaneko, Tamiko Kawata, Mika McCann, Keisuke Mizuno, Etsuko Nishi, Eugene Pijanowski, Hiroko Sato, Takako Saito, Yuka Saito, Toru Sato, Hisako Sekijima, Yoko Sekino-Bové, Yukihiro Shibata, Yosh Sugiyama, Akio Takamori, Tsuchida Yasuhiko, Koichiro Yamamoto, Hiroshi Yamano, Takeshi Yasuda, and Jiro Yonezawa
Gallery of Work
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Sponsors
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Herzfeld Foundation
Reliance Controls
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Art Bridges
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Lise Iwon
J. Jeffers & Co.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Andis Foundation
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Butcher & Barrel/Amos Los Tacos
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Tony and Andrea Hauser
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
The Prairie School
Cathy Stanghellin
Georgiana Treivush
Twin Disc, Inc.