Tai Kwun｜TOUCH - Luminous Weaves: Ichiro Kato's Solo Exhibition in Hong Kong

Description

Touch Ceramics is honoured to present Luminous Weaves, the first solo exhibition in Hong Kong by acclaimed Japanese ceramic artist Ichiro Kato. This showcase marks a significant milestone in Kato’s international artistic journey, inviting audiences into an aesthetic universe where tradition and contemporary vision converge.

Kato revitalizes ancestral techniques through a distinctive artistic language, seamlessly blending Kinsai (gold painting) and Nunome (cloth-grain texturing) into a visually poetic and highly recognizable style. With meticulously composed geometric patterns and a vivid and harmonious palette, he constructs a subtle dialogue between linear gold elements and tactile, fabric-like surfaces. While deeply respectful of traditional craftsmanship, Kato transcends its boundaries, offering a renewed perspective that positions him as a pioneering voice in contemporary Japanese ceramics.

Born in 1972 in Yamaguchi into a family of esteemed potters—including his grandfather Masataro Kato and father Shigemi Kato—Ichiro Kato graduated from the Ibaraki Prefecture Ceramic Research Institute in 1995. He refined his practice under the guidance of master ceramist Akihiko Ito, developing his artistic voice in the historic ceramic regions of Kasama and Yamaguchi. A full member of the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Association, Kato has received numerous prestigious awards, such as the Special Jury Prize at the 12th International Ceramics Competition Mino (2021), the Grand Prize at the Ohtaki Hokkaido Ceramic Art Exhibition (2008), and the Japan Craft Association Award (2006). His work has been selected twelve times for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, affirming his enduring relevance and international acclaim.

Where gold meets texture, Kato’s work speaks of an elegant equilibrium—between heritage and innovation, radiance and humility. This exhibition presents a curated selection of representative works from throughout his career, offering a rare opportunity to witness the captivating dialogue between weave and glow, forged in the quiet intensity of the kiln.

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