The pioneers who brought Japanese ceramics into the contemporary art world were Takuro Kuwata @takurokuwata and Tomio Koyama Gallery @tomiokoyamagallery . Kuwata's ceramic works had a very contemporary-art sensibility, and their gaudy, glittering effects were so unique and epoch-making that his followers have sprung up all over the world in the 15 years since his debut. On the other hand, I genuinely like the utilitarian works of Japanese ceramic artists, especially the artists of the "lifestyle craft” movement, which emerged in the 2000s. Over time I have collected about 20,000 such works, and have been organizing exhibitions by calling on my favorite artists whose works are in my collection. Among my favorites are Otani Workshop @ota539 , Yuji Ueda @yuji____ueda , and Aso Kojima, as well as Shin Murata @muratashinwolf , with whom I have now jointly opened a store @tonari_no_murata . Contemporary artist Chiho Aoshima @chiho_aoshima has also started making ceramic works at Murata’s workshop. I have gathered works of all these artists together for an exhibition titled GEIBI KAKUSHIN ("Aesthetic Innovation on Japanese Ceramic Art") at Perrotin Matignon @galerieperrotin in Paris. I myself am also exhibiting paintings inspired by the Qinghua fish paintings of the Tang Dynasty China. In Japan, ceramic art is as vast in quality and quantity as manga and anime. Japanese people love to use ceramics. Even if they are washed and cracked or damaged, they repair and continue to use them. Competition is therefore fierce and there is a rapid turnover in this industry in terms of popularity. I have collected some of the current gems for this show! I hope you will enjoy. #小嶋亜創 translation: @tabi_the_fat

A perfect utilitarian onesie day out.

Contrary to what is happening today, humans of the past had close relationships to nature and wild animals. These bonds did not concern only utilitarian aspects, but also involved the sphere of the imaginary and myth. The stork, an animal which has always fascinated humans and stimulated man's creative imagination and curiosity. Perhaps this is probably due to the sharing of open environments and the use of anthropogenic structures for the placement of their bulky nests. It is little wonder that there are so many ancient stork legends. They are one of my favourite birds too. @bbcearth #earthcapture @natgeoindia #natgeoindia