SHOJI, MITSUO (1946-)

"Three Tests of the Universe: Heaven & Earth" (c.1980)
Mixed media (silver leaf & graphite) on board
61 x 46cm
Signed lower right
*private collection, Melbourne
 
Shoji is a leading Japanese-born Australian Artist & Ceramicist. He studied at the Art Institute of Osaka City Museum and Nakanoshima School of Arts, Osaka, Japan from 1965-1967 then completed a Bachelor of Arts, School Teaching Certificate at Kyoto City University of Fine Arts, Japan in 1971 and a Master of Fine Arts in 1973. He then took up positions at the Caulfield Institute of Technology from 1973-1974, East Sydney Technical College in 1975 and California State University, San Jose, in 1977. Returning to Australia in 1978, he worked as a senior lecturer at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney, until his retirement in 2007. Noted as a monumental force in Australian ceramics, Shoji uses dramatic scale and deft brushstrokes to make objects that are as meditative as paintings and as imposing as major sculptures. The "Kaze" series has been recognized globally as an important body of work embodying gesture and resonant form. Works in this series have a depth of glaze and boldness of execution that wrestles between compressed humility and energized expressionism. He has now become an honorary senior lecturer with SCA and works fulltime in his own studio. His training with the avant-garde Sodeisha group had a strong influence on his style, which is highly experimental. He signs his works with his initials and the year, either painted or incised. His works are represented in several Major National Galleries including the Gallery of Western Australia, Brisbane City Gallery, National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria & Newcastle Region Art Gallery.