The LOOP Gallery is pleased to present “土遊び Tsuchiasobi -clay play-“, Takumi Morozumi’s first solo exhibition in Japan at the gallery on view September 15 through October 6, 2023.

Morozumi (b. 1995) is a Japanese artist based in Norway. The artist graduated from Oslo National Academy of the Arts and started his artist career while he grew up in multiple countries such as UAE, USA and China.

Beginning with ancient Jomon pottery, Morozumi views artistic exploration with soil as the very foundation of Japanese artistry. He harnesses the unique medium of soil as a visual conduit, creating a diverse range of sculptures on a broad scale.

By embracing the material transformations within the kiln, Morozumi intertwines the sense he has carried throughout his international sojourn with ‘fasciation,’ akin to the exquisite distortions observed in plant cells. These layers of inspiration converge in his artworks, projecting their inherent beauty.

This summer, the artist dedicated his effort to creating pieces in Shigaraki, Shiga in preparation for this exhibition. He focuses on the traditional technique in the area called ‘yakishime’ (high-fired unglazed ceramics), characterized by feldspar appearing on the high-temperature surface.

Viewers can fully experience Morozumi’s works, both new ones inspired by ancient Japanese traditional technique and those from Oslo.