'The Sodeisha Journey', Invited Speaker, SERES 18 Congress, Anadolu University, Turkey.

Description

The ‘Sodeisha Journey’ presents the journey that created the year long ‘Shadow of Sodeisha, Japanese and Irish Art in Clay’ exhibition which examined creative links between Ireland and Japan in the year (2017) both countries celebrate their 60th anniversary of Diplomatic relations. The concept began in 2015 when Michael Moore visited the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, in Tramore, Co. Waterford, Ireland and initiated a discussion with the Gardens Director, Ms. Agnes Aylward. Lafcadio Hearn (b.1850, d.1904) was a noted poet with strong connections with Ireland and Japan. This discussion between focussed on creative connections between Ireland and Japan. Considering the role of Hearn as a poet and writer based in Ireland and Japan, Moore began to research creative links between Ireland and Japan closer to Ceramics. This led to an examination of the post WW2 artists Group ‘The Sodeisha’. The Sodeisha Group were the first group of Japanese artists to consider clay as a material to make abstract art. Such was their influence in general in ceramics and in particular in Ireland, Irish Artist Deidre McLoughlin spent three years in Japan to learn more about Sodiesha. This lay the foundation for the theme of ‘The Shadow of Sodeisha’. Moore contacted one of the leading contemporary ceramicists in Japan Hiroaki Morino. Discussions followed with Mr. Morino and Mr. Mitsuo Shoji to develop a selection of artists (6) from Japan for the the exhibition. The selection of Irish artists (6) was made by Dr. Audrey Whitty, of National Museum of Ireland.

Period	12 Oct 2018
Event title	SERES 18 International Ceramics, Glass, Porcelain, Enamel, Glaze and Pigment Congress, Anadolu University, Turkey.
Event type	Conference
Location	Eskisehir, Turkey
Degree of Recognition	International