Rut Bryk: Touch of a butterfly

27 April – 16 June 2019
Tokyo Station Gallery

 
Vibrant colours of green, blue, brown and gold echo in the wall plaques created by Rut Bryk with a great sensibility. Architectural composition of ceramics and mosaics of abstract patterns shed light on the richness of her art.

《ライオンに化けたロバ》1957年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Leijona, 1957
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531

Rut Bryk: Touch of a butterfly

This exhibition is the first show and retrospective in the country featuring Rut Bryk (1916-1999), a ceramic artist from the famed Arabia workshop in Helsinki and a pioneer of modern art and design in Finland.

The show coincides with the centenary of the diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan.

《蝶たち》1957年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Perhossommitelma, 1957
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
Rut Bryk
Photo: Tapio Wirkkala

Rut Bryk exhibition: what not to miss

With a total of 200 pieces – mostly on loan from the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation – the exhibition presents her art from the beginning of her career to later stages of life.

By tracing her works, viewers witness a dramatic transformation, like a butterfly in metamorphosis – from early ceramics of religious and private motifs, to later mosaics of small squares arranged into geometric patterns; from soft and lively colours, to more translucent and limpid shades.

《結婚式》1944年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Wedding 1944
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《ヴェネチアの宮殿：リアルト橋》1953年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Venetsialainen palatsi: Rialto, 1955
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《母子》1950年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Mother and Child, 1950
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《蝶》1957年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Perhonen, 1957
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《都市》（部分）1958年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Kaupunki (detail), 1960
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《スイスタモ》（部分）1969年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Suistamo, 1969
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《黄金の深淵》1969年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Kultainen kuilu, 1969
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531
《色づいた太陽》1969年、タピオ・ヴィルカラ ルート・ブリュック財団蔵
Rut Bryk, Värillinen aurinko, 1969
Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation’s Collection / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
©KUVASTO, Helsinki & JASPAR, Tokyo, 2018 C2531

Special display at Tokyo Station Art Gallery

The display at Tokyo Station Gallery gives a warm, organic feel, allowing a close look at her works.

A work by Rut Bryk’s daughter, artist Maaria Wirkkala, adds a telling introduction to the show by assembling original ceramic tiles created by Bryk and capturing the life stages of her work.