SIMON PILLING

TOUCHING SHADOWS

Only in dim half-light is the true beauty of Japanese lacquerware revealed…by flickering flame, I discovered in (its gloss) a depth and richness like that of a still, dark pond, a beauty I had not before seen.  Tanazaki Junichiro, In Praise of Shadows (1933)

For Tanazaki, writing in the 1930s, Western culture saw its progress through seeking ever greater light and clarity, contrasting Eastern culture in which shadow and subtlety was more highly valued. Much of lacquer’s allure lies in its mystery – shadows complete the objects, imparting a rich, dense presence that will be diminished, if not destroyed, by the harsh glare of contemporary lighting.

The appreciation of Japanese lacquer, urushi, resonates with many of Japan’s traditional aesthetic concepts. In assembling the collection of objects for this exhibition I invite viewers to reflect on these values and their increasingly universal importance to our lives today: memories of past events and lives, important moments in everyday rituals. The pieces span 600 years – from 15^th century to contemporary work, from anonymous craftsmen to Living National Treasures recognised by the Japanese government for their essential role in continuing Japan’s unique artistic history.