MIHARA KEN (1958-) Mindscape Heisei era (1989-2019), 2013Important works of art from an American private collectionMIHARA KEN (1958-)Mindscape Heisei era (1989-2019), 2013The multi-fired gray stoneware sculpture comprising two curved connected formsWood tomobako storage box inscribed Kei (Mindscape) and signed and sealed Ken 13 5/8 x 16 7/8in (34.5 x 43cm)Mihara rose to fame in the early 2000s with an evolving series of stoneware forms, typically first fired for half a day at low temperature, then twice at high temperature for between 30 and 40 hours. Between the first and second firings the piece is covered with fire-resistant removable clay to prevent the formation of accidental glazing. The Kei series, started in 2013, marked the artist's final abandonment of any vestige of vessel form, allowing him more complete sculptural freedom.