Aiba Riji 相場るい児

Based in Seto City, the epicenter of Japanese ceramic making since 10th century, Ruiji Aiba (b. 1964 in Fukuoka) creates ceramic sculptures and “netsuke.” They are often figures of children, innocently unclothed and at play with frogs, goldfishes, octopuses. Inspired by traditional dolls, fairy tales, classic movies and manga, Aiba emphasizes the ominosity aspect of dolls. The artists describes they are “neither human nor objects. Dolls are transcendental existence.”

Aiba’s recent exhibitions were presented at SEIZAN Gallery (New York and Tokyo), Tsuboya Gallery (Kyoto), Gallery Kenbishi (Aichi), Ginza Mitsukoshi (Tokyo). The artist’s first solo exhibition in the US “Dancing With An Octopus” is on view at SEIZAN Gallery New York through October 21st.

Ruiji Aiba, Octopus And Child, 2023, Ceramic, 8.3 x 8.3 x 5.7 inches (21 x 21 x 14.5 cm) Photo by Kenichi Hashimoto / Courtesy of SEIZAN Gallery

Ruiji Aiba Octopus And Child, 2023 Ceramic 8.3 x 8.3 x 5.7 inches (21 x 21 x 14.5 cm) Photo by Kenichi Hashimoto / Courtesy of SEIZAN Gallery

Ruiji Aiba Two Innocent Boys: Death Comes Equally, 2023 Ceramic Set of 2:  11 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches (28 x 10 x 9 cm) 10.6 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches (27 x 10 x 9 cm) Photo by Kenichi Hashimoto / Courtesy of SEIZAN Gallery