Mud and Modernity in Japanese Art

The art historian Bert Winther-Tamaki describes the Japanese term tsuchi, literally “soil” or “earth,” as something beyond geology: it is a concept that expresses a wholly unique way of understanding and manipulating one’s natural environment. Clay and earth have been central to Japanese visual and material culture since time immemorial—Japan is the home of ceramics that some scholars estimate date to as early as 14,000 BCE, as well as pioneering experiments in contemporary art which saw artists getting up close and personal with raw earth. This talk will trace the role played by clay, mud, and tsuchi in shaping the aesthetics of Japan’s modern era—a moment in which both cutting-edge modernity and deep-seated artistic tradition were equally critical.

Sam Hensley (he/him) is Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the Global Village Museum, where he facilitates exhibitions and programs celebrating the interconnectedness of global visual culture. His research focuses on Japanese art and craft at moments of political and cultural transition, exploring the role of artmaking in tempering times of personal and social upheaval. Sam holds an MA in East Asian Art History and Critical Museology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a BA in Pre-Columbian Art History and Japanese Studies from West Virginia University.