Toshiko Takaezu
American, 1922 - 2011
Person TypeArtist
Terms
BiographyBorn in Hawaii and of Japanese descent, Toshiko Takaezu explored a select repertoire of forms, often focusing on the closed vessel that has become a hallmark of her work. Her “closed forms” defined by rounded hollow shapes feature a tiny opening to let air escape during the firing process. Takaezu states: “The most important part … is the black air space that you can’t see.” She studied at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan in the 1950s, where she was taught by Finnish ceramicist Maija Grotell. In 1955 Takaezu travelled to Japan and visited Hamada Shoji and other mingei potters. Takaezu taught at Princeton University for over 25 years. The Denver Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Winnipeg Art Gallery have examples of Takaezu’s work in their collections.