Kohiki tea bowl c. 20th century

Tsujimura Shirō’s Kohiki tea bowl is a tactile dance between earth and fire. I can almost feel the potter's hands shaping the clay, coaxing it into being, the white glaze like thick impasto. Imagine Shirō in his studio, throwing the bowl on the wheel, the clay spinning, responding to his touch. The subtle imperfections—those drips and freckles of color—they're not mistakes; they're the story of the firing, the alchemy of the kiln. They remind me of Cy Twombly’s marks, not quite drawing, not quite writing. This bowl feels ancient and new all at once. It’s a conversation with the past, a nod to tradition, but with a contemporary sensibility. Other artists are also in conversation: think of Lucie Rie’s simple, elegant forms or Peter Voulkos’s bold, gestural approach. Each of these pieces speaks to the endless possibilities of artmaking, reminding us that creativity is a process of discovery, an ongoing dialogue between artists across time.