After studying ceramic painting in Kyoto, he became an apprentice to a Kutani ware painter in Ishikawa Prefecture. At that studio, he met Kenji Nishita, who is currently in charge of the base, and began painting Nishita Kenji's base. Using a variety of techniques such as blue and white porcelain and overglaze painting, he has established his own unique style that is traditional yet highly design-oriented and narrative-oriented.
Painting with a story
Takeuchi Ruri's work is characterized by detailed depictions of nature and animals. This is her originality, which is due to her natural talent for detailed and virtuoso technique. The colors that breathe life into her paintings are created by adding transparent hues to the paint and using pale neutral colors, giving a glimpse of soft elegance.
The detailed depictions of nature and animals are a reflection of the scenery and preferences of Ruri Takeuchi. She says that she has loved to draw animals and plants delicately since she was a child. Then, during her student days, her current style of expression was born from various learnings, such as geometric patterns.
In addition, the four seasons in Japan are closely related to nature and animals. It may be hard to feel this in the city, but our lives are in harmony with the seasons. And it is nature and animals that tell us the seasons. Takeuchi-sensei's paintings depict seasonal stories, such as cherry blossoms that herald spring and wisteria that evoke the colors of early summer. These contain Takeuchi Ruri's desire to entertain viewers and her sense of design. A story emerges every time you touch an incense container or pitcher. There are flowers painted on the surface, and when you open the lid, flowers are painted on the inside and inside the lid, so you can enjoy a story that unfolds in stages within a single piece of work. This narrative quality comes from Japanese classical literature, and it is as if you are touching and experiencing a story scroll. Even if nature that tells the seasons is not nearby, it is as if our seasons make an appearance through Takeuchi Ruri's work.
In this way, Takeuchi Ruri's works are not merely pottery to be used, but also have a hidden design as "ceramics to be viewed." This represents Takeuchi Ruri's design of experiences, which aims to be enjoyed by everyone who sees and holds her works.
Ruri Takeuchi
Biography Born in Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture Graduated from the Kyoto University of Traditional Crafts, Ceramic Art Course in 2006. Studied ceramic painting under Choza Yamamoto. 2012 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Ippodo) 2013: Became independent in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture 2017 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Ippodo) 2024 Ruri Takeuchi and Kenji Nishita Two-person Exhibition (Ginza Ippodo) Currently working in Ishikawa and Nara prefectures
