Tribute to Miyashita Zenji: (1939 - 2012)

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Miyashita Zenji, an internationally celebrated artist whose geometric and biomorphic ceramic sculptures were wrapped with his signature irregular, gradated colored-clay overlays that inspire visions of sunsets, distant hills, drifting clouds or rolling waves.

Miyashita Zenji was born in Kyoto into a line of distinguished ceramists but was trained academically by the ceramic-sculptor Kiyomizu Kyubey (1922-2006) at Kyoto Municipal University of Art and Music and then Kusube Yaichi (1897-1984). Soon thereafter his career took off after affiliating with the Nitten association and exhibiting in their annual competitions, which he won a remarkable 18 times. As both leader and mentor to emerging young talents, Miyashita played a key role within the Nitten group. He also served as a judge at countless competitions, also winning numerous awards through the decades. In 2005, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award and Cultural Award from both the city and prefecture of Kyoto. His works have been featured in many exhibitions throughout the world and has been acquired by major museums in the US, Japan, and Europe.

Joan B Mirviss LTD is honored to have represented his work for more than twenty-five years, culminating in his 2009 exhibition, his first and only solo show outside of Japan. His creativity, kindness and enthusiasm will be missed by all who knew him.