Japanese American National Museum
Isamu Noguchi and Modern Japanese Ceramics

ISAMU NOGUCHI AND MODERN JAPANESE CERAMICS
OPENS AT ONLY WEST COAST VENUE
THE JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
FEBRUARY 7, 2004

The Policeman, 1950 bv Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi and Modern Japanese Ceramics is the first major American exhibition of Noguchi's postwar work in ceramics. The exhibition includes approximately 74 clay sculptures presented as a chronological account of Noguchi's evolution as a sculptor along with the works of Japanese modern ceramicists. Noguchi's explorations into a wide range of themes, from the abstract to the material, display his fearlessness to cross many boundaries. Noguchi created much of his ceramic work within three brief but intense periods in which he was inspired by his return to Japan and his family, the war in Japan and the aftermath, and the rise of the Sodeisha group. The over-arching theme that encapsulates the exhibition involves Noguchi's exploration of his Japanese-American identity through clay.

IN THE DR. & MRS. EDISON MIYAWAKI GALLERY, THE TAUL & SACHIKO WATANABE GALLERY, AND THE WEINGART FOUNDATION GALLERY.

The presentation of this exhibition and related programs at the Japanese American Nationnal Museum is generously supported by Fujima Kansuma; the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department; Bank of America; Gordon Yamate and Deborah Shiba, D.D.S.; Mariko Gordon/Daruma Asset Management, New York; Frank L. Ellsworth and Kirstin Ellsworth. Local media sponsors are KSCI-TV and the Rafu Shimpo.

Isamu Noguchi and Modern Japanese Ceramics was organized by the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. It was made possible by grants from the Feinberg Foundation, Sachiko Kuno, Ryuji Ueno and the S&R Foundation, Masako and James Shinn, H. Christopher Luce, and other generous donors. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities. Transportation assistance is provided through the generosity of All Nippon Airways. The exhibition is endorsed by the Japan Foundation. Organizational assistance is provided by The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.