The ceramic works by Ryota Aoki possess captivating exquisiteness and sophistication, and the incomparable balance of color, form, and texture. Aoki pursues the original ceramic expressions that are both elegant and bold, supported by his enormous amount of research and trials. Especially, his exhaustive research on glaze, which Aoki states that "he has done more than any other ceramic artist in his generation", has resulted in the white dish series with the special texture that required him 2 years to create. With this series, Aoki mixes the glaze into the porcelain clay, which is usually used as coating. The mat and creamy texture like baby's skin is unforgettable.
In the solo exhibition at TKG Daikanyama in 2009, Aoki exhibited the mysterious sculptures inspired by the tools of esoteric Buddhism. He also continues creating the new series such as the "LUXURY" series and the tea cups. Aoki states, "I want to see something never existed in ceramics", and "I would like to surprise the viewer, and also myself". With his vigorous curiosity and experimental spirit, Aoki tries to assimilate the tradition and the contemporary. But his forms do not seem to have hesitation, meaning that he has the solid aesthetic of his own. Aoki's works make the viewers realize the beauty of the culture of ceramic, which has consisted, for a long time, of ceramics and the daily life with them.

Concept
Tomio Koyama Gallery Kyoto is pleased to present Ryota Aoki's solo exhibition that features new works of gold glaze with the theme of "King". Also at TKG Editions Kyoto (1F in the same building), approximately 150 pieces of the daily use dish series of white and silver will be exhibited. The solo exhibition of Ryota Aoki will be held also at eN Arts (http://www.en-arts.com/) simultaneously. The various series by Ryota Aoki will be on view in Kyoto.

Artist Biography
Ryota Aoki was born in Toyoma in 1978. He graduated from Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center in 2002. He was invited as a trainee at Ecole de arts Decpratofts (Switzerland) in 2004. He currently lives and works in Toki-city, Gifu.
Aoki has received La Trobe University Award of Merit in Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award (2004, Australia), the 3rd prize in International Triennial of Silicate Arts (2005, Hungary), the Grand Prix in Tableware Festival (2006), the silver prize in 4th World Ceramic Biennale 2007 Korea (2007, Korea), and the merit prize in Taiwan Ceramics Biennale (2008, Taiwan) among others. He has held many exhibitions in Japan and abroad. This marks the 3rd solo exhibition at Tomio Koyama Gallery since 2008 at TKG Editions (Ginza) and 2009 at TKG Daikanyama.

* The text provided by Tomio Koyama Gallery.

Opened dates: September 24 - October 30, 2010