Kouzo Takeuchi is a ceramicist working on the cutting edge of creative porcelain design. Using architectural forms to explore the theme of decay, Takeuchi creates pieces of art which are wholly unique and speak to the passage of time. 

Takeuchi was born in Hyogo, Japan in 1977.  He went on to study at the Osaka University of Arts and the Tajimi Municipal Ceramic Design Institute, majoring in ceramics.  His fascination with the themes of decay and physical damage was sparked by an accident in his workshop in 2006, when one of his square ceramic tubes broke unexpectedly. The event revealed to him a certain effect created by destroyed things—the remains of things made to convey beauty, and left a mark on him that would significantly impact his artistic vision.

Takeuchi’s work is characterized by complex geometrical patterns consisting of square tubed porcelain fused together in a kiln. After firing and glazing, Takeuchi strategically chips away at the sculptures with a hammer. The effect of this process evokes the feeling of looking at ancient ruins. But, according to Takeuchi, the clean white geometric patterns of his creations are meant to represent the architecture of today, prodding the viewer to consider that what exists now will one day be in ruins. 

Takeuchi’s work has been exhibited in Japan, France, and the United States, both in galleries and public institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Musée Cernuschi in Paris, as well as in prominent commercial spaces such as Tokyo’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel.  His pieces explore the nature of time and the consequences for all things man made. He now lives and works in Hyogo Prefecture, his birthplace. 

Modern Remains Series
Takaeuchi Kouzo’s current work began as an accident in 2006. While he was working on his ceramic square tubes he broke one by accident, and was surprised at how much it immediately appealed to him. This instinct was the basis for his future signature series, Modern Remains. Since then, Takeuchi has been intentionally breaking the tubes with a hummer to complete his sculptural pieces.

For a period of time while developing his Modern Remains Series Takaeuchi worked on this instinctive appeal to him of the broken pieces. Then a new thought occurred to him. Not only was he interested in reflecting the pathos of the repetitive creation and destruction of the physical world throughout human history, but he also now sought to challenge the taboo of selling 'broken' ceramics.  Through his works, he aims to raise a question about this: Can works that are broken intentionally be recognized and appreciated for a new aesthetic value in ceramics? If so, this is a groundbreaking step in the ceramic world, especially in the strong, rich, diverse world of Japanese ceramics.

Solo Exhibitions
2019
Kouzo Takeuchi: Reattempt, Yod Gallery, Osaka, Japan

2018
Santaiennyu, HPGRP Gallery, Tokyo
Gallery Ichiyo, Hiroshima

2017
Crystallized Points of View, HPGRP Gallery, Tokyo
Japan in Black and White, Esh Gallery, Milan, Italy
Styple Meets People, Tokyo Midtown, Tokyo

2016
Harima Kisui, Hyogo
Credenza, Osaka
Sokyo Gallery, Kyoto

2015　
Reformation, HPGRP Gallery, Tokyo
Gallery Tachibana, Denenchofu, Tokyo

2014　
Tachibana, Tokyo

2013　
Art Front Gallery, Tokyo
Oogi, Osaka
SOU, Sapporo
Homura, Sapporo

2012　
UTUWAKAN, Kyoto

2011　
Helene Poree, Pari, France
Nichinichi Ginza, Tokyo

2010　
TOUSAI, Tokyo
Oogi, Osaka
Tokyo American Club, Tokyo
Toukyo, Tokyo

2009　
Toukyo, Tokyo
TAO, Tokyo
Sophora,K yoto
Yu ; An, Osaka

2008　
TOUSAI, Tokyo
Torin shunyo, Tajimi, Gifu

2007　
KEIKO , Boston
KAI, Tokyo

2006　
Inax Galleria Ceranica, Ginza
Kyuman Museum, Kagawa Pre.

2005　
HANARE, Hyogo
　　
Group Exhibitions
2019
A Group Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics, Taka Ishii Gallery, Hong Kong

2018
Paramita Museum Ceramic Competition, Mie
TABUCHI Taro and TAKUCHI Kouzo, Soukyo, Tokyo

2017
Collect, London, by Sokyo Galelry
Red+, Gallery So, Sapporo
Harada no Mori Gallery Renewal Open Exhibition, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Hyogo
Object, Yakata Yusai, Tokyo

2016
The salon art + design, by Maison Geraod, New York
Red+, Gallery So, Sapporo
Tabuchi Taro and Takeuchi Kouzo, A Heritage Xi Yuan Art Gallery, Taiwan

2015　
Contemporary Capricci, Esh Gallery, Milan, Italy
Nippon! Contemporary Arts and Crafts from Japan, Esh Gallery, Milan, Italy
Art Fair Tokyo 
Five Sculptors, Tokyo

2014　
New City Art Fair, NY
The International Fine Art & Antiques Show
Dialogue with Materials: Contemporary Fine Japanese Arts and Crafts
AASSM galleries in Izmir Turkey

2013　
Walk on the Wild Said. TKG Editions, Kyoto
La Ceramique Japonaise, Espace Culturel Bertin Poiree, Paris, France 
Galerie IAC Berlin - Konigswinter, Germany
ART OSAKA 

2012　
JAPONISIM. Et’l Atelier Terre Croix-Baragnin,Toulouse, France
CERAMICS NOW EXHIBITION, Bucharest, Romania
2 Artists Exhibition.,Nichinichi Ginza, Tokyo
2 Artists Exhibition, JR MISTUKOSHI ISETAN OSAKA, Osaka
　
2011　
UN ERTH Exhibition, Singapore
IMBRIQUER, AUTOUR DE LA BRIQUE, Beauvais, France
SAKAZUKI exhibition, Kyoto

2010　
UN ERTH Exhibition, iPRECIATION, Hong Kong
ESPACE CULTUREL BERTIN POIREE, Group Exhibition, Pari, France
3 Artists Exhibition, IKUKO, Okayama
　
2009　
SAKE cup exhibition Tajimi Artists,Sake no Utuwa Toyoda, Kyoto
CUBE exhibition, CAP STUDIO Y3, Kobe
CREATIONS JAPONAISES CONTEMPORAINES, (from Camard & Associes) Richelieu Drouot, Pari, France
　
2008　
SAKE cup exhibition, Tousai, Tokyo
Flower vase exhibition, Oogi, Osaka
Wind from TAJIMI, Tachibana, Tokyo
Small space exhibition, Ichinokura Sakazuki Art Museum, Gifu

2007　
SOFA New York 2007, USA
Japan Month in Houston: Contemporary Japanese Arts and Crafts, Houston, USA
It's all about cups, Boston, USA ('08~'10)
Ceramics Now, Tajimi, Gifu
　
2006　
CAP ART FAIR 2006, Cap House Kobe
Chicago 2006, USA

2005　
Contact 4 : Japan - Korea Ceramic Exhibition, Museum of Siga
　
2004　
ONE exhibition,Torin shunyo, Tajimi, Gifu
　
2003　
Graduate works Award exhibition, Tajimi City Cultural Hall, Gifu
　
2002　
Utsuwa (Vessels) exhibition, Kobe
　
2001　
Let's 5 Artists, Kobe