Starting Saturday, April 1, Lacoste Gallery in Concord MA will be presenting an exhibit titled “Generational Crossroads” that features Japanese and American ceramic artists. The interest here is that the artists involved have apprenticed with each other in different combinations. Among the Japanese artists are Isesaki Jun, recently named a Living National Treasure; Kakurezaki Ryuichi, one of Bizen’s most innovative artists who apprenticed with Isesaki; and Isesaki Koichiro, Jun’s son who worked with Jeff Shapiro. The Americans, well known for gallery shows in the U.S. and Japan, are Jeff Shapiro, who studied with Jun; and Tim Rowan, who apprenticed with Kakurezaki and worked in Jeff’s studio.

While the generational angle is informative since there is a broad range in the ages of the artists, there may be more interesting lessons in how two cultures interpret similar material and forms. The Japanese start from a long tradition that is influenced by Zen and the tea ceremony. The Americans have an art history informed by abstract and conceptural art as well as western sculptural traditions.

This show has many events happening around it. The opening is Saturday, April 1, from 4-6pm with the artists present. Then on Sunday and Monday there will be lectures, demonstrations, gallery visits and panel discussions held at Museum of Fine Arts and Harvard. Information on the events can be gotten on Lacoste’s website.

For more on the Japanese artists, visit e-yakimono.net

Jeff Shapiro and Tim Rowan each have good sites for viewing their work.