‘Mingei’ is a Japanese word meaning ‘folk art’ and these traditional crafts can include ceramics, textiles, wood, bamboo, paper, metal, toys and lacquer. In the early 20th century, a group of artists, potters and other creatives – headed by the art critic and philosopher Yanagi Soetsu – came together to try and reverse the decline in traditional craft skills. According to Soetsu, these hand-crafted objects should be ‘born not made’; they should use local materials and be functional, simple and inexpensive.
Our collector visited Japan in the 1970s and became enchanted by the ceramics that she saw in Japanese restaurants and homes. Jill was so inspired that she stayed and studied pottery there for four years. During that time, she visited many rural villages and towns, met local artists that were making Mingei pottery, and purchased many of the items in her collection.
Jill taught for 17 years on the Postgraduate Ceramics Diploma Course at Goldsmiths College, London. She is now a full-time potter and artist and has a studio in Devon. Some of her collection of Mingei ceramics have recently been in an exhibition at the William Morris Gallery. You can read her article here and find out more about her own work on her website here.
Event Information
Dates and Times
- 21 January 2025 – 27 July 2025
Location
Finders Keepers? gallery
