Keiko Fukazawa

Keiko Fukazawa (born 1955 in Niigata, Niigata, Japan) is an Issei (first generation) Japanese ceramicist and professor.[1] She is known for her whimsical yet poignant sculptures that often incorporate traditional Asian motifs, while also addressing cultural and social issues. Fukazawa's recent work is incorporates graffiti-like styles that reference violence and modern issues such as globalization, consumerism, and capitalism.[2] Her "functional, though impractical...interpretations of traditional forms serve as a personal vehicle of expression to integrate her heritage with her American environment."[1] She states "I want to share something as an immigrant artist."[3] After moving to the United States to escape the limited opportunities for women artists in Japan, she studied at Otis and Parsons School of Art and has since established her art career.[1]

Keiko Fukazawa
Born1955
Niigata, Japan
NationalityJapanese
EducationMasuashino Art University, Sotoen Studio of Shigaraki Ware, Otis College of Art and Design
Known forceramic art and sculpture
Websitehttp://www.keikofukazawa.com/

Education and Career

After growing up in Tokyo, Fukazawa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Musashino Art University in 1977, originally focusing on painting.[1][4] She later changed her focus to ceramics to pursue a more practical profession for a women in Japan. Completing her post-graduate studies in ceramics there in 1981.[4] She also studied at the studio of Sotoen in Shigaraki, but soon realized that due to the "conservative nature of art education for women" in Japan, it could be years before she would be allowed to produce her own individual work.[1] Fukazawa relocated to the United States, and after a brief time at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado, she moved to California in 1984 to follow her interest in the California Funk Movement, and artists like, Peter Voulkos, Marilyn Levine and Ron Nagel.[1] "I'd read in a magazine of many things happening on the West Coast in avant-garde ceramics, beautiful, strong pieces."[3] While in LA, she studied at Otis College of Art and Design and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in 1986.[2] There, she studied under ceramicist Ralph Bacerra, whose focus in teaching was on technical ability and the integrity in form and surface, influencing her early work.[1]

Teaching career

Fukazawa went on to teach at the Department of Corrections, California Rehabilitation Center in Norco and as adjunct faculty at Otis College of Art and Design in 1992,[4] at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, the University of Southern California, Cerritos College and multiple disciplinary youth/women's facilities.[5] In 1998, Fukazawa married photographer Dennis O. Callwood. In a joint 2002 exhibition Art and Deviation, the couple challenged "assumptions about 'juvie' kids and their so-called low culture" through works in collaboration with youth at Camp Ronald McNair, an incarcerating rehabilitative center in Lancaster, CA.[3] Starting in 2013, Fukazawa spent three years in Jingdezhen, China, a "global center of ceramic production and innovation for almost 2,000 years."[2] These experiences inspired her 2016 exhibition, Made in China, with pieces that address Chinese capitalism. She currently lives and works in Pasadena, CA, where she is an assistant professor and head of the ceramics department.[2]

Artist statement

Fukazawa has stated:[6]

There are many directions to explore in clay. It is important to open myself to this era and this moment, and to use the material freely... I really enjoy the inconsistencies and mysteries of clay and glaze... My interest now is in making environmental pieces using both figurative and abstract expression.

Awards

Fukazawa has received the following awards:[7]

  • 2016: City of Los Angeles COLA Fellowship Grant, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2015: The Asian Cultural Council Artist-in-Residency Grant, New York, NY
  • 2005: The Peter S. Reed Foundation, New York, NY
  • 1992: Merit Award, International Invitational Ceramic Competition, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 1990: City of Pasadena Arts Commission Grants-in-Aid Program, Pasadena, CA

Museum collections

Fukazawa has been represented in the following museum collections:[7]

  • Arizona State University Art Museum, Ceramic Research Center, Tempe, AZ
  • California Arts Council, Sacramento, CA
  • California Confederation of the Arts, Sacramento, CA
  • Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA
  • Mrs. Giuliano Gori Teapot Collection, Pistoia, Italy
  • National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
  • Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
  • Sam Maloof Foundation, Alta Loma, CA

Selected solo exhibitions

Fukazawa's solo exhibitions around the United States include:[7]

  • 2016: Made in China: New Ceramic Works by Keiko Fukazawa, Craft and Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA[2]
  • 2002: The Advocate Gallery, Gay & Lesbian Center, Los Angeles, CA
  • 2002: Todd Madigan Art Gallery of California State University, Bakersfield, CA
  • 2001: Juxtaposition, Armory at One Colorado, Pasadena, CA
  • 1992: Garth Clark Gallery (now Clark + Del Vecchio), Los Angeles, CA
  • 1989: Garth Clark Gallery (now Clark + Del Vecchio), Kansas City, MO
  • 1988: Garth Clark Gallery (now Clark + Del Vecchio), New York, NY

Selected group exhibitions

Fukazawa's work has been included in the following group exhibitions:[7]

  • 2018: Beyond Tradition: Contemporary Reflection in East Asia, Carolyn Wilson Gallery, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
  • 2016: Precious Metals: Shining Examples from RAM's Collection, Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI[4]
  • 2014: White Gold: The Appeal of Lustre, Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI[4]
  • 2013: Edward Lightner: Ten Years Drawn, L2kontemporary, Los Angeles, CA[4]
  • 2008: RED, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
  • 2006: The Beatrice Wood Ceramic Annual, Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Ojai, CA
  • 2004: Standing Room Only: Scripps 60th Ceramic Annual, Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College, Claremont, CA
  • 2003: The Artful Teapot: 20th Century Expressions from the Kamm Collection, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
  • 2000: Color and Fire: Defining Moments in Studio Ceramics, 1950-2000, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO
  • 1999: From the Earth/Dalla Terra, Gio, Perugia, Italy
  • 1996: Japanese American Claymakers, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX
  • 1992: Breaking Barriers, Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica, CA
  • 1991: The Tea Party, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
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References
  1. Levin, Elaine. "Keiko Fukazawa and Joan Takayama-Ogawa: A Confluence of American and Japanese Cultures", Ceramics Monthly, Dec. 1994.
  2. "Made in China: New Ceramic Works by Keiko Fukazawa: January 24 - May 8, 2016", Craft & Folk Art Museum.
  3. Kiderra, Inga. "Graffiti Goes to the Gallery", Chronicle (University of Southern California), 2 September 2002.
  4. "Keiko Fukazawa: Exhibitions", MutualArt.com. Retrieved on 16 Feb. 2017.
  5. "Keiko Fukazawa", Department of Cultural Affairs, 24 January 2017. Retrieved on 16 February 2017.
  6. "Sculptured Viewpoints", Ceramics Monthly, January 1988.
  7. "CV", Keiko Fukazawa. Retrieved on 16 February 2017.
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