Ceramic Jar c. 20th century

Kitaōji Rosanjin made this "Ceramic Jar" using ink on paper sometime in the mid-20th century. The ink here is so fluid, it’s like the jar is melting right before our eyes. See how the black lines pool and drip, giving the jar a sense of weight and volume, yet also suggesting it’s ephemeral, like a fleeting thought. The texture of the paper peeks through, adding a layer of grit and earthiness to the image. Look at the bottom of the jar; the ink bleeds out, creating a soft, blurry edge. It’s like the jar is sinking into the paper, becoming one with the ground. Rosanjin’s work reminds me a bit of Cy Twombly, in the way both artists embrace imperfection and celebrate the messy, unpredictable nature of the creative process. With a piece like this we’re reminded art is an ongoing conversation, always changing, always open to new interpretations.