Jun Iwai is a ceramic artist who has a kiln called Rikkagama, in the suburb of Sendai-shi. His work is a unique adaptation of Rikka Tenmokuyu Chawan. He studied crystal glaze and ”Tenmoku” glaze, and he creates pieces that are breathtakingly beautiful.
The standout characteristic of his pieces is the pattern that shines likes stars on the plates. When he held an exhibition in Rome in 2007, Laura Monachesi of the Antinoo Foundation was so impressed by the beauty that it reminded her of stars in heaven, and she called it ”the Star of Antinous”. Antinous was a youth with striking beauty who was loved by the Roman Emperor Hadrianus, 2000 years ago. He died a tragic death by throwing himself in the Nile. The Emperor mourned his death so deeply, that he deified the beautiful Antinous as the constellation Antinous. Iwai’s works were highly praised that this deified beauty seemed to appear on his plates.
Overseas experience helped overcome fears
Apart from the exhibition in Rome in 2007, Iwai held many exhibitions overseas as ”ANTINOO Series”. They were held in America, Italy, Korea and other places. These experience contributed to broadening his style, he said.
”For example, the color gold. It is very difficult to handle. You can easily overdo it , and the elegance will be lost.” So he felt uncomfortable about using gold in his work. However, through his encounter with European culture and interactions with many people, that discomfort gradually faded away, and he now often uses gold foils in his work.
Currently, he is working on a new technique to produce crystal glaze by controlling temperature. His flexibility and desire to pursue new things may be a result of his many experiences.
Making a pattern on a plate
Nakata had an unglazed plate in front of him. ”You can do whatever you want. ” Iwata commented as he handed over a needle and laughed. You scratch the plate with the needle to make patterns. Then it is glazed and baked to bring out the pattern.
”Is there anything I shouldn’t do?”
”Nothing. You can draw whatever you want.”
Relieved by the words, Nakata concentrated on the plate.
”Some people say you should draw neat lines with a ruler. But I like the natural lines, even if they’re a little crooked.” Indeed there are many styles. He wants to continue the ”ANTINOO Series” with such lines and the natural flow of the colors from the glaze. That is the reason one senses the easy elegance from his pieces. A universe of deep blue spreads on the plate. That is the perfect description of Iwai’s works.
