LOS ANGELES, CA.- Craft in America is presenting the exhibition Ceramic Beacon: Joan Takayama-Ogawa. Ceramicist Joan Takayama-Ogawa is known for conveying her candid and prophetic take on contemporary life through playful and witty narratives in ceramics. This exhibition includes roughly 30 sculptures made over three decades. It is the first significant survey of this respected Pasadena born and based artist’s work thus far.

Unequivocally tackling issues ranging from the housing crisis and global overfishing, to the pandemic, internment camps, and human-induced species loss, Takayama-Ogawa makes objects that embody her world view and life experience. She draws the viewer into her intricate sculptures and initiates a conversation because they are a pleasure to behold. She tackles the core issues that define our contemporary society, from the political, to the historical, social, and environmental. Channeling fury into artistic power, she creates works that respond to the most pressing demands of the 21st century.

Joan Takayama-Ogawa is an accomplished sansei, or third-generation ceramic artist. Building on her family’s rich creative history, she studied under the renowned artist Ralph Bacerra and went on to develop work that used ancient Japanese ceramic forms as a guide in creating contemporary pieces that utilize decoration and imagery of an American lifestyle. She continues to push the boundaries of ceramics by integrating clay with digital and rapid prototyping technologies. She served as a Pasadena Design Commissioner and on the Board of Directors, American Museum of Ceramic Art. Takayama-Ogawa has published over 30 books and magazines, and in 2004 she was Otis Teacher of the Year and Commencement Speaker.