Kakinuma, Thomas
Item
Maker Name
Kakinuma, Thomas
Marks
Biography
Thomas Kakinuma was an acknowledged contributor to the dynamic Modernist art scene in Vancouver. Born in Tokyo 1908, graduated from Waseda University in Tokyo, Fine arts, immigrated to Vancouver in 1937. Worked at menial jobs, intending to study painting in Paris. Caught up in WWII, and Japanese interment, it is unknown where he spent the war.
In 1947, graduated from Ontario College of Art - Honours in Fine Arts, traveled to New York to study painting at the Art Students League of New York 1948-50, studied with Yasuo Kuniyoshi. In 1950/51 returned to the Ontario College of Art, took ceramic courses with Englishwoman, Miss Gladys Montgomery.
Kakinuma returned to Vancouver, 1951/52, and artist, BC Binning introduced Thomas to Olea Davis, he worked with Rex Mason, Hilda Ross, and started teaching at the UBC Ceramic Huts from 1956 to 1960, alongside Santo Mignosa, and in 1965-69,
Thomas, a beloved teacher, able to support his family with his ceramic production, exhibited and awarded nationally and internationally, and was also connected to the larger Modernist Art community, including the BC Binnings, Bess and Lawren Harris, Gordon Smith and Arthur Erickson. Thomas was an early recipient of a Canada Arts Council Grant, and in 1961 traveled to Mexico and Japan where he studied traditional pottery.
Despite these influences he kept to his Modernist vision, and his work was distinctly his own. A modest man, when approached by Bob Kingsmill, turned down the invitation to be included in the 1977 A Catalogue of British Columbian Potters. His work successfully sold throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s. He supported his family on the charming ceramic animal figures he became famous for.
Thomas Kakinuma died in 1982. Doreen Lawson, Alderman from the City of Burnaby, gave his eulogy. “ Mr. Tommy Kakinuma brought honour to our country and to his community of Burnaby with his work. He leaves a legacy behind – the memory of a warm caring man remains in his sculptures that are a celebration of life and love. He gave of himself to us all, and especially, to his family, he will be sadly missed.”
In 2017 the West Vancouver Museum held the first retrospective of his work since his death, "The Ceramic Art of Thomas Kakinuma" and 2020/21 his work was included in 'Modern in the Making..' exhibtion at the VAG.
In 1947, graduated from Ontario College of Art - Honours in Fine Arts, traveled to New York to study painting at the Art Students League of New York 1948-50, studied with Yasuo Kuniyoshi. In 1950/51 returned to the Ontario College of Art, took ceramic courses with Englishwoman, Miss Gladys Montgomery.
Kakinuma returned to Vancouver, 1951/52, and artist, BC Binning introduced Thomas to Olea Davis, he worked with Rex Mason, Hilda Ross, and started teaching at the UBC Ceramic Huts from 1956 to 1960, alongside Santo Mignosa, and in 1965-69,
Thomas, a beloved teacher, able to support his family with his ceramic production, exhibited and awarded nationally and internationally, and was also connected to the larger Modernist Art community, including the BC Binnings, Bess and Lawren Harris, Gordon Smith and Arthur Erickson. Thomas was an early recipient of a Canada Arts Council Grant, and in 1961 traveled to Mexico and Japan where he studied traditional pottery.
Despite these influences he kept to his Modernist vision, and his work was distinctly his own. A modest man, when approached by Bob Kingsmill, turned down the invitation to be included in the 1977 A Catalogue of British Columbian Potters. His work successfully sold throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s. He supported his family on the charming ceramic animal figures he became famous for.
Thomas Kakinuma died in 1982. Doreen Lawson, Alderman from the City of Burnaby, gave his eulogy. “ Mr. Tommy Kakinuma brought honour to our country and to his community of Burnaby with his work. He leaves a legacy behind – the memory of a warm caring man remains in his sculptures that are a celebration of life and love. He gave of himself to us all, and especially, to his family, he will be sadly missed.”
In 2017 the West Vancouver Museum held the first retrospective of his work since his death, "The Ceramic Art of Thomas Kakinuma" and 2020/21 his work was included in 'Modern in the Making..' exhibtion at the VAG.
First name
Thomas
Last name
Kakinuma
Career dates (start and end)
1950
1978
Date of Birth
1908
Date of Death
1982
Place of Birth
Tanuma-Shi, Tochigi-Ken, Japan
Place of Death
Studio location
Formal Education
Apprenticeships
Studied with;
Yasuo Kuniyoshi, NY
Kaneshige Toyo, Japan, Bizen pottery
Yasuo Kuniyoshi, NY
Kaneshige Toyo, Japan, Bizen pottery
Major Exhibitions
For a full list of exhibitions see;
https://studioceramicscanada.com, D.Sloan article of TK
https://studioceramicscanada.com, D.Sloan article of TK
1963 Silver medal International Ceramic Show, Prague, Czechoslovakia
1963 Best Ceramic Sculpture of Canadian Ceramic
1980 Retrospect Ceramics 80
2017 The Ceramic Art of Thoma Kakinuma, retrospective, curated, Darrin Morrison, catalogue, Dr. Carol E Mayer, Debra Sloan
2020/21 Modern in the Making, Post War Craft and Design in British Columbia, curated, Daina Augaitis, Allan Collier Stephanie Rebick.
Collections
International Ceramics - Museum to be confirmed – Florence Italy
Confederation Art Gallery - Charlottetown, PEI
Art Gallery of Windsor, Ontario
Museum of Anthropology, UBC
Vancouver Art Gallery
Confederation Art Gallery - Charlottetown, PEI
Art Gallery of Windsor, Ontario
Museum of Anthropology, UBC
Vancouver Art Gallery
Affiliated organizations
Links to Further Resources
https://studioceramicscanada.com, site by Barry Morrison, article, Debra Sloan
https://www.gillianmcmillan.com › blog › 2018/02/16
https://westvancouverartmuseum.ca/exhibitions/ceramic-art-thomas-kakinuma catalogue
http://www.studiopotterycanada.ca/posts/menagerie-thomas-kakinuma
https://rbscarchives.library.ubc.ca/thomas-kakinuma-potter-u-b-c-vancouver
https://www.nwcf.ca/publications/
Arch-BC
https://bchdp.arcabc.ca/islandora/object/arch-bc%3Aroot
https://bchdp.arcabc.ca/islandora/object/arch-bc%3Aroot
Awarded:
1955 Purchase Award, “ Canadian Ceramics of 1955”
1957 Grand Award for Stoneware - Canadian Ceramics 57
1960-1961 Canada Arts Council Senor Fellowship to study ceramics in Mexico and Japan.
1955 Purchase Award, “ Canadian Ceramics of 1955”
1957 Grand Award for Stoneware - Canadian Ceramics 57
1960-1961 Canada Arts Council Senor Fellowship to study ceramics in Mexico and Japan.
• The T. Kakinuma Memorial Award for a 4th term ceramics/sculpture student who is eligible for the Graduating Exhibition, is judged to be the most outstanding in the area of Ceramics/Sculpture and shows the most promise. (Spring) Langara College
Source
Debra E. Sloan
Linked resources
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