A dynamic ceramic sculpture by Harumi Nakashima 中島晴美 (b. 1950), titled ‘Zawazawasuru katachi’ ざわざわするかたち, meaning “Restless Form”. This vertical composition showcases Nakashima’s characteristic interplay of swelling bulbous forms and open, see-through areas. The rhythmic arrangement of rounded volumes creates a lively tension between mass and void. The surface is decorated with glossy cobalt-blue dots in varying sizes dispersed across a white ground, producing a vibrant visual movement that accentuates the sculptural flow. Underside with signature and year of making: 2017. Complete with its original signed, titled and dated wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box). Period: Japan – 2017, Heisei period Dimensions: Height 59 cm, Width 51 cm, Depth 32.5 cm In excellent condition. Please refer to the photos for a clear condition reference. Born in 1950 in Ena, Gifu Prefecture, Harumi Nakashima 中島晴美 is known for his biomorphic porcelain sculptures decorated with opulent blue dots. He excels in clay creations far removed from both tradition and functionality. Taking great care to achieve a flawless surface and form, each piece is created over the course of six months. Nakashima's early reputation was cemented as one of the leading teachers at the Tajimi Pottery Design and Technical Center, having trained and influenced many of the promising young ceramicists of Japan since 1976. Nakashima has received leading prizes and tributes. With works collected by 20 public institutions the world over, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and the Faenza Ceramics Museum in Italy, he is one of Japan's most celebrated porcelain artist. Influenced by the blue sometsuke (under-glaze) motifs of traditional Japanese porcelain, Nakashima's motifs also use cobalt blue over-glaze. Yet unlike traditional methods, Nakashima's blue dots are painted over the body of a work after the main firing, and then fired into the white glaze of the porcelain with a second firing using the technique of "in-glazing", thereby leading to the sinking of the dots upon the white overglaze. Perhaps more surprising is the fact that his organic, sprawling and fluid porcelain bodies are entirely hand-built. As porcelain is extremely difficult to manipulate by free-hand, Nakashima intentionally uses this method to create not only tension, but an epic "battle with clay". He is currently based in the port city of Nagoya, and some of his more recent exhibitions are; 2021 Art Market San Francisco, Duane Reed Gallery Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, MO; 2020 Sokyo Gallery, Kyoto, Japan Gallery VOICE, Tajimi, Gifu, Japan; 2019 SOFA Chicago, Duane Reed Gallery Taijimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center, Gallery Suki, Aichi, Japan The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; 2018 Meguro Gallery, Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan The Tsinghua University Art Museum, Beijing, China SOFA Chicago, Duane Reed Gallery Art Market San Francisco, Duane Reed Gallery; 2017 Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo SOFA Chicago, Duane Reed Gallery. When shipped we will include a certificate of authenticity.