Artwork copyright Jun Kaneko. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jun Kaneko. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jun Kaneko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Jun Kaneko. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Jun Kaneko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Reflect, 2003

Jun Kaneko
Japanese (born 1942)

Location: University of Washington, Seattle

About the Artwork

Sculptor Jun Kaneko is known for his very large, hand-built clay "dangos" (meaning "rounded form" or "dumpling" in Japanese). Reflect encourages viewers to examine their environment and focus on a sense of scale and place. Kaneko was originally a painter and is still interested in surface patterns that are repeated and abstract. The shape of each ceramic piece suggests its own decoration to him, and he notes that "I almost always have a need to paint on it." Kaneko's dangos can be up to eight feet in height and need to dry for several months before being fired in the kiln.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with University of Washington.

About the Artist

Artist Jun Kaneko is known for his large-scale and publicly-sited sculptural installations that promote interaction. He came to the U.S. from Japan in 1963 and was part of the California Clay Movement in ceramic art. Based in Omaha, Nebraska since 1986, Kaneko works in a variety of media and collaborates with contemporary art studios across the country. He has also designed the sets and costumes for three operas.
Kaneko studied at the Chouinard Art Institute, the California Institute of Art, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Claremont Graduate School (all in California). He has taught at the Cranbrook Academy of Art (1979-86), Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Scripps College (California), and University of New Hampshire.