Lucie Rie: Elegant Vessels Fusing East and West

Lucie Rie (1902–1995) was a defining British ceramicist of the 20th century. Born in Vienna, Austria, she discovered a deep fascination for throwing pottery on the potter's wheel at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts, setting her firmly on the path of ceramics. Although she had already established her reputation as an artist, the outbreak of war forced her into exile in 1938, leading her to relocate her practice to London, England. The elegance of forms born from the wheel, the original patterns created through sgraffito and inlay techniques, and the rich colors produced by her glazes—imbued with a delicate yet resolute presence—continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Marking the first comprehensive retrospective in Japan in approximately 10 years, this exhibition brings together works by artists who crossed paths with Rie, such as Josef Hoffmann in Vienna, and Bernard Leach and Hans Coper during her London years. It also re-examines the connection between her work and Eastern ceramics, with a primary focus on Japan. Spanning from her early output to her mature years, the exhibition unravels her creations through the places, objects, people, and historical contexts she encountered, offering a deep look into the wellspring of her forms and the convictions underlying her art.

Publisher  The Chunichi Shimbun

Published 2025

Pages 208

Size 220 x 185 mm