Today, I'm featuring one of the bowls I purchased at the
annual Ceramics Show given by students and some teachers at The Art League School's Ceramics Department.
This lovely bowl was made by Keiko Winsch.
Every year I've gone to the show, I've been drawn in by Keiko's work. Most of the small teacups I purchase as holiday gifts for friends come from her beautiful display of wares. This year, Keiko happened to be in charge of carefully wrapping up purchases in newsprint. When she saw that she was wrapping up a number of her own pieces, she asked if I wanted to see more of her work. Of course, I said yes! Out came a large box and we were soon back at her display where she unwrapped treasure after treasure.
This bowl was one of those treasures.
One of the reasons I was so drawn to it was the contrast between the rustic colors and textures and a seemingly out-of-place patch of gold. This gold rises like a full moon or a golden sun. When I asked her about it, she replied that it was the traditional Japanese way of repairing
mistakes using gold powder and resin.
What a beautiful concept. Healing cracks with patches of gold.
Today, I decided to find out more about this Japanese art of repairing ceramics. And, not surprisingly it has its own name,
Kintsugi. It seems that I missed a wonderful exhibit of Kintsugi at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery in 2009! Here is a
link to a Washington Post article about the show with a bit more of the history.
I am drawn to this idea of
healing with gold.
This bowl is being sent to a friend who I feel is in need of a bit of spiritual healing. I am hoping that it will become a place to gather up and hold her wishes, dreams and poetry.
