Minneapolis Review

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is showcasing "Transcendent Clay: The Kondō Family’s Path of Porcelain Innovations," an exhibition that highlights the artistic achievements of the Kondō family from Kyoto, Japan. The exhibit will be open to the public from March 1 through September 7, 2025.

The exhibition includes works from the collection of Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz and features pieces from Mia's own collection. Among these is Kondō Takahiro's "Reduction I," which demonstrates his innovative “silver mist” glazing technique.

Katie Luber, Director and President of Mia, remarked on the significance of the exhibition: “This exhibition is a testament to the enduring power of art to innovate and inspire.” She emphasized how Kondō Takahiro's work aligns with Mia’s mission to present art that bridges tradition with contemporary creativity.

The exhibition traces nearly a century of artistic evolution within the Kondō family, starting with Kondō Yūzō in the 1930s. His sons, Yutaka and Hiroshi, contributed their unique styles before Takahiro emerged as a leading figure in avant-garde ceramics.

Andreas Marks, Mary Griggs Burke Curator of Japanese and Korean Art at Mia, commented on the value of this display: “This exhibition offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the interplay of tradition and innovation in Japanese ceramics.”

Originally organized by Lowe Art Museum in Coral Gables, FL, this traveling exhibit has also been displayed at Brooklyn Museum. It will continue its journey to other venues including Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento and Crow Museum of Asian Art in Dallas.

A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies this exhibit. Edited by Joe Earle, it details a century of Japanese ceramic artistry. Earle will deliver a Friends Lecture at Mia on May 15.

For more information about this exhibit or others at Mia, visit www.artsmia.org.