Kogei 2020 - The Art of Crafting Beauty From Nature

This exhibition catalogue presents more than 80 works by artists specialising in traditional Japanese handicraft, or 'kogei'. Examples range from objects for everyday use to innovative contemporary artworks. Kogei art is produced by independent studio artists using traditional craft materials and processes, working in close conformity with nature. One of its most fundamental characteristics is "function", but with the influence of Western aesthetics and art theory during the Meiji period, objects with a practical use came to be seen as merely utility items. In the 20th century, this attitude transformed into a broader appreciation for the artistic value of kogei in Japanese culture.