Masahiko Toide Ceramic Exhibition: 'Iroekazariki'

courage de vivre presents its first solo exhibition by Masahiko Toide.
Echoing the meanings embodied in 'SAVOIR VIVRE' and 'courage de vivre' －"to live with courage" and "to search for the meaning of life"－for Toide, these ideas take shape through the act of "making" and "sharing his work with others."
This exhibition reflects Toide's present point in his artistic journey, built step by step as he has continued forward through moments of uncertainty.
His works are formed and fired using Kutani porcelain clay as well as locally sourced earth, and are completed using traditional Kutani overglaze enameling techniques. The motifs depicted on his vessels－beginning with John, the dog he once lived with－emerge from his daily life and personal memories. Layers of diverse imagery intertwine, giving rise to a world that feels like fragments of a story.

The title of this exhibition, Iroekazariki, is a term coined by Toide himself.
It expresses the dual nature of his work－vessels that are both "to be used" and "to be displayed."
While retaining the presence and form of functional ceramics, these works invite viewers to appreciate them visually, and at times to engage with them through use.
We warmly invite you to experience Toide Masahiko's unique world of Iroekazariki－polychrome decorative vessels imbued with memory and narrative.