Sakura Spring: Obata Yuji

Onishi Gallery is proud to present SAKURA SPRING, by Obata Yuji, his third solo-exhibition with the gallery. Spring represents the beginning of the season and life. The blooming of cherry blossoms (SAKURA) is captured by Obata to express the feeling of happiness and anticipation of new beginnings. Cherry blossoms are his main motif that Obata draws upon his decorative work. Each petal of his blossoms is drawn with the finest touch. On his pots, the blossoms bloom in full glory, delicate and magical. Not only is the design unique, but his colors are distinctive as well, particularly the pink he creates out of a material called “Shoenshi” or “OBATA PINK.” This color is lively and beautiful, and is a color that hardly any other artists can successfully master when working at such a refined level of porcelain ware. Obata’s work balances bold and graceful beauty, intense color and pure white, and is not to be forgotten.

Obata Yuji was born in 1961 in Arita, Saga prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University in 1984, and Saga Prefectural Arita College of Ceramics in 1987.  He is a regular member of Japan Crafts Committee and a Member of Arita Ceramic Association. Obata has won prizes at Japan Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and Issuikai Exhibition. Most recently he exhibited at The Japantique 2019 in Tokyo, and held his first solo exhibition in Europe, that was in Budapest, Hungary.