Special Exhibition Opens September 12 at the Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum in Shigaraki Forest Special Exhibition: “Shigaraki New Wave: The Present of Expanding Creativity” Exploring “Spaces That Give Birth to Art” Through the Practices of 17 Artists Active Both Domestically and Internationally

The Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum will host the special exhibition “Sigaraki New Wave: The Expanding World of Creativity Today” starting Saturday, September 12, 2026 (Reiwa 8).

Special Exhibition “Sigaraki New Wave: The Present of Expanding Creativity”

■ Exhibition Overview

In recent years, artists from a wide range of fields—including not only ceramics but also sculpture, painting, and installation art—have been gathering in Shigaraki and Iga from both Japan and abroad, giving rise to a new wave of creativity.Behind this trend lies a rich creative environment—including clay well-suited for pottery, techniques cultivated over many years as a ceramics-producing region, strong community ties, and programs such as Artist-in-Residence (AIR).

This exhibition frames this movement—which has become particularly prominent since 2010—as the “Shigaraki New Wave” and introduces 17 artists based in Shigaraki and Iga who are active both domestically and internationally.In particular, through diverse forms of expression born from the region’s materials, climate, and the gentle connections that thrive within the community, the exhibition examines the current state of the creative environment—nurtured by the mutual resonance between the region and art—and looks toward the possibilities that lie ahead.

■Basic Information

Dates: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (Reiwa 8) – Sunday, December 13, 2026

*Closed on Mondays; however, the museum will be open on September 21, October 12, and November 23. but will be closed on September 24, October 13, and November 24 as make-up closures

Venue: Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Art Forest, Ceramic Art Museum

Admission: General: 1,100 yen (880 yen); College students: 880 yen (700 yen); High school students and younger: Free

*Prices in parentheses apply to groups of 20 or more

Organizer: Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Art Forest

Supported by: Shiga Prefectural Board of Education, Koka City, Kyoto Shimbun, NHK Otsu Broadcasting Station

In cooperation with: Kyocera Corporation, Otsuka Omi Ceramics Co., Ltd.,

Shigaraki Ceramic Technology Research Institute, Koga Barasu Co., Ltd.

Funded by: Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Regional Cultural Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)

■ Highlights

(1) 17 Artists Active Both Domestically and Internationally Gather in One Place—The Current State of Artistic Expression Emerging from Shigaraki and Iga

Seventeen artists who, since 2010, have been based in Shigaraki and Iga—or have maintained deep ties to the region while expanding their activities both domestically and internationally—will gather in one place. Through diverse forms of expression that extend beyond ceramics to include sculpture, painting, and installation art, this exhibition presents the “present” of Shigaraki and Iga.

(2) New Forms of Expression Born from Connections Between Materials, Techniques, and People

This section focuses on the region’s strengths cultivated over a long history of ceramics—including clay, firing techniques, and collaborations with potteries, companies, and artisans. It showcases how artists encounter local materials, techniques, and people, and reinterpret these elements into their own creative works.

(3) Each Artist’s “Shigaraki and Iga,” as Told Through Their Own Words and Photographs

Alongside their works, each participating artist will display essays and photographs detailing their relationship with Shigaraki and Iga. Through their encounters with this land, their memories, and the experiences that led to their creations, we trace the unique “Shigaraki and Iga” that lies behind each artist’s work.

■ Exhibition Structure: 17 participating artists, approximately 140 works

Prologue: New Wave I—New Creativity Emerging from Shigaraki

Participating Artists: Yuji Ueda, Kyu Tani, Yoji Yamada

Yuji Ueda, *Untitled*, 2026, H 100 cm, Artist’s collection

Kyu Tani, *Shigaraki Jar*, 2026, H 62 cm, Artist’s collection

Yōji Yamada, *Slip Oval Bowl*, 2026, W 35 cm, Artist’s collection

Chapter 1: New Wave II—Creation in Collaboration with the Production Region

Participating Artists: Tomoko Konno, Yoshiko Masumoto, Yu Kimri

Keiko Masumoto*“Kite / Vase,” “Seagull / Vase”* (Part of the “Blue Birds/Blue Ceramics” installation), 2021, both H 91 cm, artist’s collection, photo by Nobuyoshi Ochi

Tomoko Konno, *Blooming from the Earth—Fountain of Life (Detail)*, 2026, Artist’s collection

RiyoKim, *Shining Gold-Glazed Line-Engraved Shrine Priest-Monk*, H 165 cm, Artist’s collection

Chapter 2: New Wave III—Creativity Opening Up to the World

Participating Artists: Masaomi Yasunaga, To Iwamura, Tomonari Hashimoto, Tomohisa Obana, Tomoko Obana

En Iwamura, *Neo Jomon: Still Dreaming Girl*, 2026, H 152 cm, Artist’s Collection

Masaomi Yasunaga, *Tile Vessel*, 2026, H 136 cm, Artist’s Collection

Tomonari Hashimoto, *Untitled*, 2026, H 67.5 cm, Artist’s Collection

Tomohisa Obana, *Brick (Detail)*, 2021, H 74, Artist’s collection

Tomoko Obana, *10-shō Bottle (19–99)*, 2010–2026, approx. H 67 cm, artist’s collection

Chapter 3: New Wave IV—Expanding Creativity

Participating Artists: Hiroto Kitagawa, Yui Suzuki

Hiroto Kitagawa, *CU2602-blue*, 2026, H 214 cm, Artist’s Collection

Yui Suzuki, *Attempting the Impossible: Vase*, 2026, Private collection

Chapter 4: New Wave V—New Practices Rooted in Local Regions

Featured Artists: Yoichi Umezu, Yuki Ando, Akira Tao, Yasushi Amano

Yoichi Umezu, *Pollen Filter* (Technical Cooperation: Fumito Okuda, Marubai Ceramics), 2021, H 127.5 cm, Collection of Misonikomi Oden

Yuki Ando, *Untitled*, 2026, H 187 cm, Collection of the artist

Akira Tao, *Sou*, 2026, H 176 cm, artist’s collection

Yasushi Amano, *Toward the Bridge*, 2026, H 53 cm, Collection of the artist

■Related Events

(1) Forest of Dialogue: “The Present and Future of Production Areas (tentative title)”

　Panelists: Eiji Osugi (President and CEO, Otsuka Omi Ceramics Co., Ltd.)

　　　　　 Shunsuke Kato (Representative, NOTA_SHOP / NOTA & gallery)

　　　　　 Toshio Matsui (Director, Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum)

　Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026, 2:00 PM–

　Location: Shigaraki Industrial Exhibition Hall, Shigaraki Hall

　Admission: Free

(2) Tours of Shigaraki Pottery Kilns and Workshops, and Artist Talks

(3) Tour of the Otsuka Omi Ceramics Co., Ltd. Showroom and the Shigaraki Ceramic Technology Testing Center

(4) Exhibition in the town by participating artist Yoichi Umezu

　September 5 (Sat) – 24 (Tue), 2026 / Café & Gallery Tōen

(5) Related Workshops for Parents and Children

　(I) Workshop 1: “Let’s Make Clay Nests Together”

　Date: Sunday, November 8

　Instructor: Participating Artist To Iwamura

　Venue: Shigaraki Industrial Exhibition Hall, Creative Space, Shigaraki Forest of Ceramics

　(II) Workshop 2: “Making Pottery Using the Slipware Technique”

　Date: Sunday, November 22

　Instructor: Exhibiting Artist Yoji Yamada

　Venue: Shigaraki Industrial Exhibition Hall, Creative Space, Shigaraki Ceramic Forest

(6) Gallery Talk by the Curator in Charge

　[No registration required; admission ticket required]

　September 27 (Sun), October 25 (Sun), November 29 (Sun) *All sessions start at 1:30 PM

(7) Concurrent Exhibitions

　Ceramics Museum Gallery “AIR—Masterpiece Selection Exhibition I, II, III”

　Dates: September 12 (Sat) – December 13 (Sun), 2026. Free admission

　*Exhibits will be rotated during the exhibition period

▼*Please visit our museum’s website for details.

https://www.sccp.jp/exhibitions/21527/

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Organizer: Otsuka Omi Ceramics Co., Ltd.

Dates: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (National Holiday)

Venue: Shigaraki Industrial Exhibition Hall (Shigaraki Ware Museum), Koka City