Paintings

Jun Kaneko arrived in the United States in 1963 as a painter. Though he is today most known for his monumental sculptural achievements, painting has long served as an important aspect of Jun Kaneko’s creative process, providing a method for him to investigate compositional complexities, chromatic rhythm, and the balance of structure and dynamism. Unlike the medium of clay, which requires many months of building, drying, and firing before glaze may be applied, painting offers a greater opportunity for improvisation. It  can be reworked in ways that are nearly impossible in ceramics. Kaneko explains, “When you see your work out of the kiln you can’t change it. This is a huge difference from the canvas. That’s why I still like to work on painted canvas. It sharpens my intuitive reactions to what I’m doing and allows me the freedom to be spontaneous.”