On the last weekend of June, Hong Kong-based art gallery, THE SHOPHOUSE officially unveiled its otherthings space on Sun Chun Street. Refurbished from an 1890s Hakka-stye building, the new location inaugurated its first exhibition — a refreshing and intimate solo showcase by contemporary Japanese artist, Kansai Noguchi . Entitled EX TERRA , the exhibit comprises Noguchi’s fairly recent series, “JOMON Yakishime” as well as a new body of ceramic works under the name of “APOLLO.
” Both series were born from the artist’s fascination with ancient times. “APOLLO” started from Noguchi wanting to create pieces that remind him of rough lunar surfaces, walls with peeled-off paints as well as objects with signs of weathering. The name of the series was not only borrowed from Apollo, the Greek god of the sun but specifically the lore where he was responsible for carrying the sun to earth riding on a golden chariot.
“I wanted to get away from the clean and perfect aesthetics of machine manufacturing,” says Noguchi, adding “I made this new series using a manual pottery wheel as opposed to electric, just so I can attain a more rustic and handmade look-and-feel.” “I wanted to get away from the clean and perfect aesthetics of machine manufacturing.” Comparatively, the “JOMON Yakishime” series draws inspiration from ancient Jomon earthenwares found in Japan (c.
14,000 – 300 BC). Similarly, Noguchi was drawn to the potteries’ raw and expressive forms, in whi.
