Afternoon Sun 1967

"Afternoon Sun" is a playful ceramic sculpture created by Taro Okamoto, though the date of its making is unknown. Crafted from earthenware, this piece embodies a unique blend of traditional and avant-garde techniques. The smooth, rounded forms are clearly shaped by hand, but the bold colors and sharp division of the face into contrasting white and yellow zones, suggest a decidedly modern sensibility. The white portion of the sculpture is also deeply cracked and crazed, which may have been intentional. Okamoto’s process here is crucial to understanding the work’s meaning. The choice of ceramic, a humble material, defies conventional notions of fine art. The labor-intensive process of molding, firing, and glazing reflects a deep engagement with craft traditions, while the abstract design and color scheme push against these boundaries. The result challenges any simple distinction between art and craft, suggesting that true creativity lies in the fusion of diverse approaches.