Press Release
30 | 01 | 19
Kenta Anzai, Mizuyo Yamashita and Nobue Ibaraki
1 to 7 May | Hampstead, London
Moon Jar by Kenta Anzai | Photo credit Josephine Cottrell
Ceramics by Nobue Ibaraki | Photo credit Rory Gardiner
From 1st to 7th May, Maud & Mabel present an exhibition of ceramics by three Japanese makers whose works encompass the gallery's aesthetic principals of subtlety,simplicity and unobtrusive beauty.
Kenta Anzaihandcrafts a beautiful selection of functional objects, from vases, pourers and containers to plates, tea bowls and sake cups.After studying ceramics in Kyoto, Kenta studied porcelain under Taizo Kuroda. Kuroda in turn was apprenticed to Tatsuzo Shimaoka, the second Japanese Living National Treasure of Mashiko, who himself studied under Shoji Hamada, first National Treasure,making Kenta the bearer of an impressive aesthetic lineage.To achieve a white finish on his porcelain works, he polishes the surface and applies a few simple layers of white slip;his signature black glaze is infused with a small amount of urushi - a natural Japanese lacquer which gives each piece a dark and detailed surface quality that contrasts the purity of his ceramic forms. Months of polishing and refining are required to create the aged surfaces of each piece. The result is a perfect example of theWabi Sabiaesthetic so sought after in Japanese pottery.
Mizuyo Yamashita's worksexplore ideas of beauty and materiality, while retaining the essential functionality of everyday objects.Hand-thrown on the potter's wheel, her miniature forms are a blend of modern European interior design and traditional Japanese techniques such as Shinogi, Mishima and Kohiki.Through a combination of various clays and unglazed finishes, Yamashita's collections reveal the innate qualities of the potter's essential medium.
Nobue Ibaraki'scollection of handbuilt pottery evokes the rich colour and texture of treasures unearthed, an effect achieved with glazes containing copper and cobalt. Her simple pourers, jugs and bottles have a tempting, highly tactile quality and are finished in a natural palette of soft ecru and mineral colours.
Maud and Mabel, 10 Perrin's Court, Hampstead, London, NW3 1QS |www.maudandmabel.com|gallery@maudandmabel.com| Open: 10am - 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am - 5.30pm Sundays.
Ceramics by Mizuyo Yamashita | Photo credit Rory Gardiner
Lidded pots by Kenta Anzai | Photo credit Josephine Cottrell
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Print ready 300dpi image downloads
Kenta Anzai | Moon Jar
Nobue Ibaraki ceramic
Mizuyo Yamashita ceramics
Kenta Anzai | Lidded Pots
Notes to Editors
Maud & Mabel
Launched in 2012, Maud & Mabel is a tranquil shopping sanctuary in Hampstead Village, dedicated to the subtle and the thoughtfully crafted. Working with clay, cloth and wood, we feature a curated selection of beautiful everyday objects, produced by over forty pioneering artists and makers from the UK, Scandinavia, Italy and Japan.
We are inspired by 'Shibumi'- a collection of Japanese design principles which favour unobtrusive beauty and prioritise subtlety and purity. Most importantly, we believe in uniting contemporary craft with elegant design, and in marrying the old with the new. We celebrate imperfection alongside perfection, and we covet the simple and the meaningful. Everything we stock is designed to be used and treasured, adding a touch of magic to the everyday. We aim to cultivate a calm shopping experience for our guests, offering a quiet and beautiful retreat from the hustle and bustle of London.
As seen in:Homes & Gardens, Elle Decor, Country Living, House Beautiful,andStylemagazines.
The Gallery Team
Founded by Karen Whiteley, Maud & Mabel is a labour of love. Beginning her working life as a stylist alongside the pioneering Fashion Photographer Sam Haskins from his Kings Road Studio, she then went on to assist Pan Henry at the Casson Gallery at a time when studio pottery was thriving, showing the work of Lucie Rie and Hans Coper amongst many other great British talents.
Karen is supported by a team of knowledgeable creative assistants who come from a variety of artistic backgrounds. Members of the team include artist Josephine Cottrell, who studied Fine Art and completed her MA in Printmaking; textile artist Alice Blackstock, who completed her MA in Textiles at the Royal College of Art and was awarded the Orla Kiely scholarship; ceramic designer Olivia Joseph, who studied Law and Business Administration and completed her Masters in International Business; and ceramic artist Laura Loewy, who studied Design and completed her MA in Social Anthropology at Goldsmiths UoL.
Maud and Mabel, 10 Perrin's Court, Hampstead, London, NW3 1QS |www.maudandmabel.com|gallery@maudandmabel.com| Open: 10am - 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am - 5.30pm Sundays.
For further press information or additional images contact Mercedes Smith at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235 /www.fineartcommunications.co.uk
