This Video: An Interview with Toshiko Takaezu by D.B Long … Created for the Watershed Special Exhibition at SOFA Chicago, I interview American ceramic artist Toshiko Takaezu in her home and studio. Takaezu has been called one of the most important ceramicists in America. /nThe film will be screened at the 16th SOFA Chicago (Sculptural Objects and Functional Art) Nov 6-8 at Navy Pier. The film will also be included the Smithsonian Archives for American Art. /nThe film features music performed by Winard Harper./nFormer visual arts professor and ceramic artist Toshiko Takaezu passed away Wednesday in Hawaii. She was a faculty member with the University’s Visual Arts Program from 1967 to 1992. She was 88 years old.
“Ms. Takaezu instilled in generations of learners a sense of art, discipline and the possibilities of clay,” Council of the Humanities Executive Director Carol Rigolot said in an e-mail.
Rigolot is also a member of The Daily Princetonian Board of Trustees. 
Takaezu had a reputation for being “the most difficult grader on campus” — taking a hammer and destroying any pieces that were not satisfactory, Rigolot said, adding that Takaezu also brought many learning opportunities to her students.
“Each semester she invited her classes to come to her studio, which is a magical place, to see where her work is created and to learn the ancient Japanese art of Raku firing,” Rigolot said. 
Rigolot added that students revered Takaezu. On her 80th birthday, alumni of her ceramics classes gave her a treasure box filled with messages of gratitude and admiration.

Tags: art education