“Materiality in Progress is an exhibition that explores the dynamic relationship between material, process, and artistic expression. The featured works by various artists including Rando Aso, Ludmilla Balkis, Han Chiao, Yoshimitsu Ishihara, Genta Ishizuka, Osamu Matsuzaki, Yuka Mori, Shota Suzuki, Syotatsu, and Jun Tsunoda convey their ideas through traditional artisanal techniques while emphasizing the importance of the materials used. People today seek physical materiality more than ever, valuing tangible elements over mere concepts—its weight, texture, and expression. It challenges conventional notions of materiality and investigates how artists engage with their chosen mediums beyond their physical characteristics.
Materiality is not merely a passive element in the creative process—it is an active participant. Each material holds its own expressive potential, shaped and revealed through the artist’s interaction with it. Through intentional creating, materials become more than a means to an end; they reflect the artist’s values, creativity, and connection to the world. Crafting with material is an intrinsic part of these artists’ practice, where the process itself is a fundamental aspect of their artistic identity. Each step in working with the material informs and transforms the final piece, making the journey of creation as significant as the outcome.
Japanese artist Genta Ishizuka, one of the show’s artists, reflects on his journey with lacquerware, explaining, “I chose lacquerware in university, but even though it was part of the artisanal practices department, I learned that rather than creating functional objects, mastering the ‘grammar’ of the material expands the possibilities of artistic expression.” This sentiment underscores the exhibition’s central theme: materials are not just manipulated, but rather understood, respected, and explored for their inherent possibilities.
Historically, the dematerialization of the art object—an idea central to conceptual art—has questioned the primacy of physical materials in artistic expression. Lucy Lippard’s Six Years: The Dematerialization of the Art Object (1973) highlights this shift, yet Materiality in Progress argues for a more nuanced perspective: materiality is not Yuka Mori, 記憶 Memory, 2024, Japanese paper, mineral pigment, wood panel, 21 x 16 in. about physicality alone but about the evolving relationship between material, idea, and artisanal practice. In this exhibition, artists engage with materials to connect the past and present.
Visitors will encounter a diverse range of artisanal works, including ceramics, lacquerware, and paintings created with traditional pigments, as well as hand-forged metal sculptures. Each piece reflects the unique characteristics of both the materials used and the artisan who made it. Beyond color and form, the materials influence aspects like texture, weight, sound, and function—each contributing to the overall story of the artwork. Whether showcasing the natural beauty of raw materials or the precise techniques used to shape them, the exhibition emphasizes the transformative power of materiality in contemporary artisanal practice.
Materiality in Progress emphasizes the ongoing significance of artisanal skills and illustrates how tradition and creativity come together to create meaningful and thought-provoking objects. By embracing materiality as both a medium and a message, artists continue to create new dialogues between the tangible and the conceptual.” – Akari Endo Gaut
Materiality in Progress curated by Akari Endo Gaut will be on view in our Exhibition Library through May 17th.
