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Archives of American Art
A Finding Aid to the Akio Takamori Papers, 1981-2004, in the Archives of American Art
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.takaakio
- Creators:
-
Takamori, Akio, 1950-
- Dates:
-
1981-2004
- Languages:
-
The collection is in English and Japanese.
- Physical Description:
-
0.5 Linear feet
- Repository:
The papers of ceramicist and sculptor Akio Takamori measure 0.5 linear feet and date from 1981 to 2004. The collection comprises professional files containing an artist statement, correspondence with Vicki Halper and others, a digital photographic print of Takamori with Jun Kaneko, a presentation book, and a work plan for the European Ceramics Work Centre. Also found are printed materials featuring Takamori, and artwork by Takamori including drawings and sketches in pencil, pen, and ink.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The papers of ceramicist and sculptor Akio Takamori measure 0.5 linear feet and date from 1981 to 2004. The collection comprises professional files containing an artist statement, correspondence with Vicki Halper and others, a digital photographic print of Takamori with Jun Kaneko, a presentation book, and a work plan for the European Ceramics Work Centre. Also found are printed materials featuring Takamori, and artwork by Takamori including drawings and sketches in pencil, pen, and ink.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 3 series.
- Series 1: Professional Files, 1981-circa 1995 (5 folders; Box 1)
- Series 2: Printed Materials, circa 1981-2004 (0.3 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 3: Artwork, circa 1990s (2 folders; Box 1, OV 2)
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Akio Takamori (1950-2017) was a Japanese American ceramicist and sculptor based in Seattle, Washington. He is known for his figures, some life-sized, based on his childhood memories of Japan, and observations about his native Japanese and adopted American cultures.
Takamori was born in Nebeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. His father, an obstetrician, introduced him to art through art and medical books. Takamori went on to graduate in 1971 from Musashino Art College. After graduation, he became an apprentice to a master potter in Koishiwara ware and met American ceramicist Ken Ferguson who encouraged Takamori to study in the United States. Taking Ferguson's advice, Takamori moved to the United States and studied at Kansas City Art Institute, graduating in 1974. Takamori continued his studies at Alfred University earning his Master of Fine Arts degree. He eventually moved to Seattle, Washington in 1993 where he continued to produce ceramic sculptures and worked as an associate professor at the University of Washington.
Takamori died of pancreatic cancer in 2017.
Administration
Author
Sarah Mundy
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Akio Takamori papers were donated in 2004 by Akio Takamori as part of the Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sarah Mundy in 2022.
Using the Collection
Terms of Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Preferred Citation
Akio Takamori papers, 1981-2004. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce requires written permission from Akio Takamori's widow, Vicki Takamori. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Related Materials
Related Materials
Also in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Akio Takamori conducted on March 20-21, 2009, by Mija Riedel for the Archives of American Art's Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America, at Takamori's studio, in Seattle, Washington.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian American artists | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Japanese American artists | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Ceramicists -- Washington (State) -- Seattle | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Educators -- Washington (State) | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Drawings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Kaneko, Jun, 1942- | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Halper, Vicki | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives of American Art
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Victor Building, Suite 2200
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