MITSUO SHOJI
MITSUO SHOJI
Artist Statement
I would like to say thank you to Geoff White, owner of Lost Bear Gallery, Katoomba, for offering me the opportunity to show my small ceramic paintings. This is the first time that I have shown only paintings, without my ceramic objects. This show is celebrating my 80th birthday, as well as 60 years of my ceramics practice.
I was born in Osaka, Japan in 1946, a year after we lost World War II. Both my parents came from Kagawa Ken, in Shikoku. They were both from farming families - I had no connection with the art field. However, from the start of primary school I had always liked art class.
Although I liked art class, I was thinking of only doing my art practice on the weekend as a hobby. However, at the end of high school, I realised that I was not clever enough to study physics. So, as a result of many people’s recommendations, I decided to study art, but I didn’t know what kind of art I should study.
During learning classic French style charcoal drawing at the National Museum of Art, Osaka, I saw a wonderful ceramic exhibition upstairs. I was fascinated to see the quality of the works and diversity of the medium. I believed that ceramics was for just making plates, bowls, and vases. But what I saw at the exhibition challenged my preconceptions. You can draw or paint on the surfaces of the objects, and create huge sculptures, like free forms of clay with amazing colours from glazes.
Oh! Maybe I should go this way; not only can I paint or sculpt, but there are various ways of expression! Fascinating!
When I was in Year 3 of senior high school, we were looking at the university directory trying to work out where we should apply. I was asking my friends to let me know if they could find the smallest department. One of them said, “Mitsuo, here is a place that takes only seven students a year!” That was the ceramics department at the Kyoto Municipal University of the Arts.
So, I asked him, “What shall I study?” He replied, “Making bowls, plates, and pots, I suppose?” I replied, “That does not sound very exciting!”
Mitsuo Shoji
July 2026
Ceramic Paintings
A renowned ceramicist, it seems odd to be celebrating Mitsuo Shoji’s 80th birthday with an exhibition of paintings. Yet, these two-dimensional works are inherently tied to his ceramics practice. And this painting technique is entirely unique.
These works have evolved from clay slip burnt on board with pencil, to the colourful pieces of today. Heavily fired silver and gold leaf, are combined with oil and waterbased crayon, resulting in richly textured, evocative compositions. Shoji uses fire, water and oil, capturing a morphosis of opposing forces which represents the boundaries between his eastern and western worlds.
These ceramic paintings are ethereal and dreamlike, but simultaneously active and alchemic. This is an artist whose work exists as constant evolution; a culmination of a lifetime of great skill and vision.
Landscape
$3750
info@lostbeargallery.com.au
e. info@lostbeargallery.com.au
Chawan No Fuukei
fired gold & silver leaf, crayon on board
60cm x 45cm
$10500
e. info@lostbeargallery.com.au t. 02 4782 1220
My Ikebana fired gold & silver leaf, crayon on board 60cm x 30cm x 3
$21500
fired gold & silver leaf, crayon on board
My Owan Bowl and Boomerang XII
60cm x 122cm
$28500
e. info@lostbeargallery.com.au
My Owan Bowl and Boomerang XI fired gold & silver leaf, crayon on board 122cm x 60cm
$28500
are Falling Down from the Sky fired gold & silver leaf, crayon on board
92cm x 52cm
Boomerangs
$19500
$32000 e. info@lostbeargallery.com.au
My Owan Bowl and Boomerangs IX fired gold & silver leaf, crayon on board 122cm x 75cm
Dream
$3750
MITSUO SHOJI
Biography
Born in Osaka, Japan, in 1946, Mitsuo Shoji is an Australian-Japanese ceramist, sculptor and painter whose career spans more than five decades.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts (1967–1971) and a Master of Fine Arts (1971–1973) at Kyoto City University of Fine Arts, Shoji moved to Australia in 1973. Since then, he has established an international reputation through exhibitions, teaching, lectures, residencies, commissions and cultural exchange projects across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.
Throughout his career, Shoji has combined Japanese ceramic traditions with a highly individual contemporary visual language that extends across ceramics, sculpture, painting and installation. His work is characterised by a continuing exploration of form, surface, symbolism and cultural dialogue.
Shoji held academic appointments in Australia and the United States, including positions at California State University, San Jose, the National Art School, and Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney, where he served as Senior Lecturer in Ceramics and later as Honorary Associate Professor.
His work is represented in major public collections in Australia and internationally, including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, the Powerhouse Museum, the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park (Japan), Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche, Faenza (Italy), the National Museum of Ireland, and numerous university, museum and regional gallery collections.
Over the course of his career, Shoji has participated in major international conferences, symposia, artist residencies and exhibitions throughout Australia, Japan, China, Europe, North America and New Zealand. His contributions to ceramic art, arts education and international cultural exchange have been recognised through numerous awards and honours, including the Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award Grand Prize, The Faenza Purchase prize, Italy and the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award.
Today, Mitsuo Shoji is recognised as one of the most significant figures in contemporary Australian ceramics, with a professional record reflecting more than fifty years of sustained artistic practice, teaching, mentorship and international engagement. His work continues to evolve in unexpected ways.
MITSUO SHOJI
Professional Record
EDUCATION
1971–1973
Master of Fine Arts
Kyoto City University of Fine Arts, Japan
1967–1971
Bachelor of Arts and Teaching Certificate
Kyoto City University of Fine Arts, Japan
ACADEMIC
APPOINTMENTS, TEACHING EXPERIENCE, PROFESSORSHIPS
2024 Consultant, International Creativity Design Centre, Shanglin Lake Celadon Park, China
2018 Honorary Adviser China Celadon College, Lisui China
2015 Visiting Professor Northern University Shanxi China
2011–2017 Honorary Associate Professor, Sydney College of the Arts
2007 Honorary Senior Lecturer, Sydney College of the Arts (retired July 2007)
1992–2007 Senior Lecturer, Ceramics Studio, Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney
1988 Acting Head of Ceramic Studio SCA Sydney NSW
1978 Lecturer, Ceramics Department, Sydney College of the Arts
1977 Associate Professor in Ceramics, California State University, San Jose, USA
1975 Lecturer, National Art School, Sydney
1973–1974 Senior Tutor in Ceramics, Caulfield Institute of Technology, Melbourne
AWARDS AND HONOURS
2017 Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award Sydney NSW-contribution to the arts in Australia.
1998 Grand Prize, Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award, New Zealand. international recognition of his black fired sculptural work
1988 First Prize, Canberra First Prize, 2nd Australian National Ceramic Award, Canberra. ACTnational recognition for Shojis sculptural work
1982 Faenza Italy Purchase Award ,First Prize an important international award. Black fired work in the museum collection
1976 Yomiuri Press Award, City Art Exhibition, Osaka, Japan early recognition in Japan of his talents
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2007–2017 Honorary Assistant Professor SCA. (Post retirement)
2007 Retired, Senior Lecturer, Ceramics Studio SCA University of Sydney
1992 Appointed Senior Lecturer Ceramics Studio SCA
1978 Lecturer Ceramics Studio SCA
1977 Associate Professor in Ceramics, California State University San Jose US
1975 Lecturer, National Art School (East Sydney Technical College)
1975 California State University San Jose, Guest Artist, Summer School US
1973-1974 Senior Tutor in Ceramics, Caulfield Institute of Technology, Melbourne VIC
INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF CERAMICS (IAC )
1980 Appointed as a member of the IAC
Attended IAC conferences in Czech Republic (Prague )Taiwan, Paris, Tajimi/Seto, Arita Japan, Xian China
Invited to Jingdezhen China (Taoxichuan ) twice in 2024 ,2025 as a result of this long-standing IAC membership. Exhibited as a result of these two residencies
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2025 Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue, Jingdezhen Ceramics Studio, China
Artist Residency (1 month)
2024 Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue, Jingdezhen Ceramics Studio, China
Artist Residency (2 months)
2015 Gaya Ceramics Art Centre, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Artist Residency and Workshop (2 weeks)
2013 Rakuten Ceramics Studio, Jingdezhen, China
Artist Residency (1 month)
2009 Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Artist Residency (5 weeks) VAB Australia Council grant
2009 National Taiwan University of Arts, Taiwan
Artist Residency (1 month)
2008 Pymble Ladies’ College, Sydney, Australia
Artist Residency (1 month)
2002 Pymble Ladies’ College, Sydney, Australia
Artist Residency (1 month)
1997 Mimar Sinan University, Istanbul, Turkey
Artist Residency (1 month)
1990 École d’Art, Aix-en-Provence, France
Artist Residency (1 year)
1986 School of Visual and Performing Arts, Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia. Artist Residency (1 week), presented as part of the First International Craft Symposium organised by Alan Watt, Canberra School of Art
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Henka / Transformation, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney, NSW
2018–2019 Gaman, Orange Regional Gallery, Orange, NSW
2011 Mitsuo Shoji Coming Home, Lesley Kehoe Galleries, Melbourne, VIC
2011 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramics and Paintings, Peacock Gallery, Auburn, NSW
2011 Mitsuo Shoji, Lost Bear Gallery, Leura, NSW
2011 Mitsuo Shoji, Depot Gallery, Danks Street, Waterloo, NSW
2010 Between the Language and the Form, Japan Foundation Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2009 Language, Symbolism–Abstraction, Cudgegong Gallery, Gulgong, NSW
2008 Mitsuo Shoji recent work, PLC School Pymble NSW
2008 Mitsuo Shoji recent ceramics and paintings, SCA Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2003 Ceramics by Mitsuo Shoji, Meitetsu Dept Store Gallery, Nagoya, Japan
2003 Mitsuo Shoji, Boutwell Draper Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2003 Mitsuo Shoji, Yamaki Art Gallery, Osaka, Japan
2002 Mitsuo Shoji, recent work, PLC Gallery, Pymble, NSW
2002 Is Our Life a Circle, Triangle or Square?, Green Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
1998 Mitsuo Shoji, Is our life a Square, Circle or Triangle?, Quadrivium Gallery QVB, Sydney, NSW
1997 Shinsho Fukei, Chifley Plaza, Chifley Tower, Sydney, NSW
1997 Ceramics Paintings by Mitsuo Shoji, Japan Foundation Gallery North Sydney NSW
1994 Mitsuo Shoji recent work, Cooks Hill Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
1991 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramics, sponsored by Kinki Nippon Railway, Asahi Broadcasting and Australia Council, ABC Gallery Osaka, Japan. Major exhibition.
1990 Recent Mitsuo Shoji Pottery with Traditional Manners, Cooks Hill Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
1990 Travil en Cours Art Gallery Ecole D’Art Aix en Provence, France
1989 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramic Sculptures and Paintings, Irving Sculpture Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1989 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramics and Glass Objects sponsored by NZ Potters Society and Waikato Museum of Art History, Hamilton, New Zealand
1987 Ceramics by Mitsuo Shoji, travelling show, NSW,TAS to Qld
1987 Colour Inlay Ceramics and Painting, Bonython Meadmore Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1986 Colour Inlay Ceramics by Mitsuo Shoji, Cuppacumbalong Craft Centre Gallery, Canberra
1986 Colour Inlay Ceramics by Mitsuo Shoji, Old Police Station, The Rocks ,Sydney, NSW
1986 Recent Ceramics by Mitsuo Shoji , Victor Mace Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
1986 Black Fire and Ceramics Paintings , Devizes Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
1986 Pottery- Recent Works by Mitsuo Shoji, Cooks Hill Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
1985 Australian Perspecta 1985, AGNSW Sydney, NSW
1985 Experimental Ceramics by Mitsuo Shoji, Gryphon Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
1985 Mitsuo Shoji’s Ceramics, Bonython Gallery, Sydney
1985 Mitsuo Shoji black fired ceramics and paintings, Sherman Gallery, Glebe
1985 Recent Pottery by Mitsuo Shoji, Aladdin Gallery, Sydney
1984 Mitsuo Shoji’s Ceramics traveling show in Tasmania, Queen Victoria Museum Launceston, Crafts Board of Australia Council funding
1984 Objects-Painting-Installation, Canberra School of Art Gallery, ACT and Shepparton VIC
1983 Mitsuo Shoji, Holdsworth Galleries, Woollahra, Sydney, NSW
1982 Mitsuo Shoji: Solo Survey, David Jones Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1982 Mitsuo Shoji’s Ceramics, Gryphon Gallery, Victoria State College Melbourne, VIC
SOLO EXHIBITIONS (CONT.)
1981 Ceramic Work, Realities Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
1981 Black Fire & Clay Painting, Blackfriars Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1980 Clay Work, John Clarke Gallery, UNSW Sydney, NSW
1980 Pottery Works, Victor Mace Gallery, Brisbane
1979 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramics, David Jones Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1977 Ceramic Objects, Nakamiya Gallery, Osaka, Japan
1977 Wet Clay Installation, Iteza Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
1974 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramics, Crafts Centre, Melbourne, VIC
TOURING SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1984 Mitsuo Shoji’s Ceramics
Curated by Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania.
Funded by the Crafts Board, Australia Council.
Tour venues:
• Queen Victoria Museum, Launceston
• Burnie Art Gallery, Burnie
•Tasmania Craft Council Gallery, Hobart
TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2015 Rapprochement of Cultures, One Humanity Beyond Diversity, Mitsuo Shoji and Seong Cho, Gallery Klei, Sydney NSW
2008 Journeys, Marianne Newman Gallery, Crows Nest, Sydney (with Chris Shoji)
2007 Mitsuo and Christine Shoji, Yamaki Art Gallery, Osaka, Japan
2006 Sea Edge Lands Edge, Cudgegong Gallery, Gulgong
2006 Landscape Mindscape, Mitsuo and Chris Shoji, Marianne Newman Gallery Sydney
1987 Clay Currents, Mitsuo Shoji and Stephanie Outridge Field, Roz MacAllan Gallery, Brisbane
1981 Mitsuo Shoji and Lloyd Rees, Bonython Art Gallery, Paddington, Sydney, NSW
1981 Mitsuo Shoji and Peter Rushforth, David Jones Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
black fired ceramic sculpture and his own Clay Paintings with some of his teachers and mentors from Japan
1979,
Australian Ceramics, Australian Craft Touring Show, Europe
European touring exhibition representing Australian ceramics. Funded by Crafts Board of the Australia Council, International recognition of his work ,seen as non functional for the first time. Glass ceramics and wood were shown.
KEY CAREER EXHIBITIONS
2017 Shadow of Sodeisha – 5 Irish Ceramists + 5 Japanese Ceramists, National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts & History, Dublin.
Invited by Michael Moore Belfast University of Arts Shoji was mentored by Yagi Kazuo, who founded the avant-garde Sodeisha ceramic group in1948 in Kyoto Japan. He was never a member of the group, despite making black fired sculptural objects for many years. Donated work to the exhibition and the gallery in Dublin. Visited the gallery in 2018.
2000 Icarus as Metaphor — Goulburn Regional Art Gallery and national tour of 10 regional galleries.
Funded by the Australian. Government Visions of Australia (now Create NSW) program , plus Goulburn City Council and Regional Galleries Association. Curated by Bert Flugelman and Guy Warren. Travelled from 1999- 2001. Participants included Guy Warren, Bert Flugelman, Tom Arthur, Mitsuo Shoji and John Johnson. Shoji exhibited his Clay Paintings in this show. Purchased by a private buyer.
1995- 1997 Delinquent Angel Australian Historical Aboriginal and Contemporary Ceramics.
International Tour : Europe, Scandinavia, Singapore, Japan, Australia. Funded by VAB/Crafts Board Australia Council, 365 black fired boats exhibited. Global touring exhibition to promote Australian crafts overseas.
1992 International Academy of Ceramics Members Exhibition
Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague, Czech Republic. Important in the context of long-standing IAC membership.
1991 Mitsuo Shoji Ceramics, sponsored by Kinki Nippon Railway , Asahi Broadcasting and Australia Council , ABC Gallery, Osaka, Japan
This was a major exhibition in Osaka showcasing his sculptural work and installation concepts in wet and black fired clay. The sponsorship was essential.
1987–1989 Four Aspects of Contemporary Japanese Ceramics
Organised with the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; sponsored by the Australia Council and supported by the Japan Foundation. Included important Japanese mentors (Hiroaki Taimei Morino, Mutsuo Yanagihara, Rikichi Miyanaga,) Touring show Australia A very important show for Shoji as he exhibited both black fired ceramic sculpture and his own Clay Paintings with some of his teachers and mentors from Japan.
1979 Australian Ceramics, Australian Craft Touring Show, Europe
European touring exhibition representing Australian ceramics. Funded by Crafts Board of the Australia Council, International recognition of his work ,seen as non functional for the first time. Glass ceramics and wood were shown.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026 Mitsuo Shoji new work, Lost Bear Gallery, Katoomba, NSW
2026 Twilight Volunteers Exhibition, Hunters Hill, Sydney, NSW
2026 Mitsuo Shoji and Toni Warburton SURVEY SHOW, SCA Gallery USyd Sydney NSW. Retrospective Show Invitational
2025 Japanese Masters, Jingdezhen International Ceramic Masters Exhibition, Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum, China
2025 Still Life, LNL Gallery, Newtown, curated by Hendrik Kolenberg NSW
2024 Flowing Essence, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney, NSW
2023 TERRA NOVA, Sturt Gallery, Invitational, Mittagong, NSW
2023 Blue, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney, NSW
2022 Taiwan Ceraics Biennale, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taipei
2022 Clay Dynasty, Invitational, Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW
2020 Collectors Gallery, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney
2019 Dolci, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney
2019 In My Backyard, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney
2019 Land Rhythms, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney
2019 Girt by Sea, Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney
2019 SCA Gaffa Exhibition, Sydney, NSW
2019 Quiet Voices, Hobart, Tasmania
2019 SCA Australian Ceramics Triennale, Hobart, Tasmania
2018 World Celadon Conference, Longquan, China
2017 Shadow of Sodeisha – 5 Irish Ceramists + 5 Japanese Ceramists, National Museum of Ireland, Decorative Arts & History, Dublin, curated by Michael Moore Belfast
2015 5th International NGO UNESCO Forum , Beijing, China,
2015 International Brick Symposium, Eskisehir, Türkiye
2015 Miniature Ceramics, Gallery Bilk, Canberra
2015 Skepsi @ Montsalvat, Montsalvat, Melbourne
2014 The Transcendent Spirit, (Asia Week) Lesley Kehoe Galleries, New York, US
2014 Ikebana and Clay, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
2014 Clay Utopia Art Gallery, Sydney
2013 Skepsi @ Montsalvat, Montsalvat, Melbourne
2009 Silver, Wangaratta Regional Gallery, Victoria
2008 Mark Making, Sabbia Gallery, Sydney, NSW
2007 Windows on Pain, National touring exhibition and auction
2006 Jingdezhen International Ceramic Masters Exhibition, JDZ Museum China
2005 Forty — Object Gallery, Sydney
2005 Collection — Green Gallery, Auckland
2005 Sightseeing — Sydney College of the Arts Gallery
2004 Vessel: Diverse — Quadrivium Gallery, Sydney
2004 The Hollow and the Whole — Delmar Gallery, Trinity College, Sydney
2004 Celebrating the Masters, Skepsi Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
*2002 Weapon — Kecskemet Ceramic Centre, Hungary
*2002–2003 Satisfaction — Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery and national tour.
Sponsored by VAB Australia Council, Create NSW and local Council
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (CONT.)
2002 Material Culture: Aspects of Contemporary Australian Craft and Design, NGA, Canberra
2000 International Ceramics Symposium Exhibition — Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Türkiye
2000 The Master Series Qdos Gallery Lorne VIC
2000 Icarus as metaphor, Goulburn Regional Gallery touring exhibition
2000 Friends at the Edge — Fremantle, Western Australia
2000 Kazutaka Kanagae Memorial Exhibition — Fukuoka Museum of Art, Japan
2000 Icarus as Metaphor group touring exhibition. Regional art galleries
1999 Salad Days, Ceramics Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1999 67 Sculptors working to a brief, Defiance Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1999 Clara Hali Bronze Sculptures and Mitsuo Shoji Paintings, Wollombi Forge, NSW
1998 SOFA International Exposition, Chicago, USA
1998 Millennium Plate Show, Ceramics Art and Perception Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1998 Maru Sankaku Shikaku, Universal Thought, Qdos Gallery, Lorne, VIC
1998 Random New Space Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1998 Home Brand, Casula Powerhouse Sydney, NSW
1998 IN Context, Manly Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1997 From Strength and Hope for Amnesty International, Casula Powerhouse, NSW
1997 Australian Ceramics Symposium Exhibition Faenza Italy touring show
1997 Panevezys International Ceramic Symposium Exhibition, Lithuania
1996 The Beer van Gogh, Chika Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
1996 Vessel - invitational exhibition, 8th International Ceramics Conference, Canberra School of Art, ACT
1997 International Ceramics Symposium Clay Sculpture, Gulgong NSW
1996 The World of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Korea
1996 IAC Members Exhibition Prague, Czech Republic
1996 Posio Pot 96, Coffee Cup Museum Finland (Touring Exhibition)
1996 Delinquent Angel Australian Historical Aboriginal and Contemporary Ceramics, International Tour, Europe, Scandinavia, Japan, Australia,funded by VAB/Crafts Board Australia Council. 365 Black fired boats exhibited 1995 Fresh Clay Australia Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne Vic
1995 Australian Ceramics Conference Participants show, University of Adelaide
1994 International Ceramics Symposium Exhibition, Louny, Czech Republic
1994 Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award, Auckland Museum, NZ, First Prize, MANY WISHES installation, 365 seed pods, copper fragment flashing, with water
1993 Fire Up Clay Sculpture Symposium, Gulgong, NSW
1992 3rd International Ceramic Invitational Symposium Exhibition, Poland
1991 Brown - 1970’s Ceramics, Shepparton Art Gallery, Vic. Touring show
1990 International Ceramics Invitational, Touring show, USA
1988 2nd National Ceramics Award Exhibition Canberra School of Art, ACT First prize (Broken Boomerang, black fired work)
1988 Mitsuo Shoji, Milton Moon, Jeff Mincham, Bonython Meadmore Gallery, Sydney
1988 First International Craft Symposium Exhibition, Solander Gallery, Canberra, ACT
1988 20 x 20: Craft in Society 1980–1990, Crafts Council Gallery, Touring NSW
1986 Earth Plastics, Lewers Bequest Gallery, Emu Plains, NSW
GROUP EXHIBITIONS (CONT.)
1986 Presentation Pieces, Potters Society Australia Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1986 View of Points: The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Contemporary Australian Craft Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne, Vic
1985 Japanese Contemporary Ceramics, Mitsuo Shoji and Satoru Hoshino, Lake Macquarie Art Museum and Gallery, Lake Macquarie, NSW
1985 Art Works Glass, Crafts Council Gallery, Sydney NSW
1985 Impulse and Form. Art Gallery of WA , Perth, WA
1985 Common Earth: Alive and Unfired, International Ceramics Symposium, Canberra School of Art Gallery, Canberra ACT
1984 Contemporary Japanese Potters in Australia, AGNSW, Sydney, NSW
1984 A Japanese Theme, Victor Mace Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
1984 Australian Decorative Art in the Past Ten Years, Australian National Gallery, Canberra ACT
1984 Sculptors Craftsmen, Meat Market Crafts Centre, Melbourne, Vic
1983 Project 43, NSW Art Gallery, Sydney NSW
1983 New Directions, Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne, Vic
1983 Ceramics Objects and Figures University of Tasmania Art Gallery, Tas
1983 Ceramics Show, Penrith Regional Art Gallery, Penrith, NSW
1983 Clothes and Clay, Orange Regional Art Gallery, Orange, NSW
1983 New Directions, 3rd Australian Potters Conference, Jam Factory, Adelaide, SA
1983 A Different Perspective, Art Space Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1982 International Raku and Smoked Fire Exhibition, Galerie Uzes, France
1982 Concorso Internazionale della Ceramica, Faenza, Italy
1982 Recent Australian Ceramics Wollongong City Gallery, NSW
1982 Image and Origin, Australia Crafts Council Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1981 SCA and City Art Institute Staff Exhibition, Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1981 Mayfair Ceramics Exhibition, Meat Market Art Gallery, Melbourne
1979 Mayfair Ceramics Exhibition, Crafts Council Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1979 Australian Ceramics, selected work for Touring Europe show
1978 Spring Festival Exhibition, David Jones Art Gallery, Sydney, NSW
1977 Clay and Glass Conference, Market Place Gallery San Francisco USA
1977 Seven Men’s Ceramic Show, Imabashi Gallery, Osaka, Japan
1975 Craft Alive – Craft Victoria 75, National Art Gallery Melbourne, touring exhibition Vic
1974 Bendigo Ceramics Show, Bendigo Art Gallery, Vic
1973 Ceramic Boxes, Craft Centre, Melbourne, Vic
1971 Ceramica, Gallery Sonezaki, Osaka, Japan, 4 exhibitions
1971 Kyoto Art Exhibition, Kyoto City Art Museum, Kyoto, Japan
1971 Kyoto Crafts Exhibition, Kyoto Crafts Centre, Kyoto, Japan
1970 Seven Men’s Ceramics ,Gallery Nakamiya, Osaka, Japan
1970 Japan Export Ceramics Competition. Travelling show Japan
1970 Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition, Takashimaya Dept Store, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, Japan
1970 Kyoto Art Exhibition, Kyoto City Art Museum, Kyoto, Japan
1970 Kyoto Crafts Exhibition, Kyoto City Art Museum, Kyoto, Japan
GRANTS
2009 Australia Council Artist Development grant, New work
1998 Australia Council Special Project grant for Australian ceramics comp 2001
1992 University of Sydney Travel grant
1991 Australia Council Artists Development grant
1986 Australia Council Special Development grant
ACADEMIC ADVISER
2000 Outside assessor, MA course, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC
1999 Outside assessor, MA course, University Southern Cross, Lismore, NSW
1999 Outside assessor, MA course, RMIT University Melbourne VIC
1998 Outside assessor, MA course, University Tasmania, Hobart TAS
1998 Outside assessor, MA course, University Wollongong, NSW
1997 Outside assessor, MA course, University Wollongong, NSW
1994 Outside assessor, MA course, University Western Sydney, NSW
1994 Assessor, Dept Empt Ed and Training, Sydney, NSW
1989 Outside assessor, MA course, University Wollongong, NSW
1984–1986 Outside assessor PG course, Newcastle Institute of Advanced Ed’n
1982–1988 Member of Visual Arts Board of Studies, SCA, Sydney, NSW
1983 Outside assessor Ceramics Dept, Riverina CAE, Wagga Wagga, NSW
1982 Higher Ed Board consultant for Degree course, Riverina CAE, Wagga Wagga, NSW
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS : AUSTRALIA & INTERNATIONAL
NSW
Powerhouse Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney
National Art School
Macquarie University Art Gallery
College of Fine Arts, UNSW
Manly Art Gallery
Campbelltown Art Gallery
Newcastle Art Gallery
Orange Regional Art Gallery
ACT
National Gallery of Australia
Artbank, Parliament House Canberra
Australian National University, Canberra
VICTORIA
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Victorian State Craft Collection, Melbourne
Deakin University, Melbourne
Melbourne State College, University of Melbourne
GRANTS (VICTORIA CONT.)
Monash Art Gallery, University of Melbourne
Ararat Art Gallery, Ararat
Shepparton Art Gallery, Shepparton
Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo
Castlemaine Art Gallery, Castlemaine
QUEENSLAND
Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
School of Art, Brisbane
Kelvin Grove CAE, Brisbane
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
Churchlands CAE
TASMANIA
Victoria and Albert Museum, Launceston
Tasmanian Art gallery and Museum, Hobart
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
International Ceramics Museum, Shigaraki, Japan
Total Art Museum ,Seoul, South Korea
Fletcher Challenge Collection, Auckland, New Zealand
International Museum of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy
Museum of Art and Design, Helsinki, Finland
International Coffee Cup Museum, Posio, Finland
International Ceramics Collection, Panevezy Art Gallery, Panevezy, Lithuania
Umeeckopunmyslove Muzeumy Praze, Prague, Czech Republic
The Bechyne International Ceramics Museum, Bechyne, Czech Republic
The Art Museum, Walbrzych, Poland
Dokuk Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
National Museum of Ireland Decorative Arts and History, Dublin, Ireland
California State University, San Jose, California, US
University of Hawaii, Manoa, US
Memphis Academy of Art Memphis, US
FORMER STUDENTS AND INFLUENCE OF TEACHING YEARS
Mitsuo Shoji has taught many generations of ceramics students since 1973. Mostly through SCA . He is famous for his love of cooking and in the notices, Ceramics Lunch! would appear regularly around the Kirkbride buildings at SCA. Money was raised for visiting artists to receive a stipend if they gave a lecture at the College. Often bowls were sold to raise money for special events, such as enabling students to attend a conference at Gulgong, Tasmania or Canberra.
Some of his famous graduate students are:
Toshio Matsui Nakanoshima Art School Osaka, IAC Japan regional head, Won Faenza Grand Prize
Steve D Edwards San Jose, Head of Glass studio Alfred University, New York State, US
Merran Esson Caulfield Tech Melbourne Deceased, ex Head of Ceramics at NAS , Sydney, later prominent as a teacher and artist
Dr Ken Yonetani SCA, now living in Japan, collaborative artist with wife Julia, 53rd Biennale represented Australia in Venice Environmental Installations.
Dr Jia Haur Liang SCA, now lives in Taipei Taiwan , artist and educator, Professor and Chair of Crafts Design Dept., National Taiwan University of Arts, Taipei, Taiwan
Dr Yi Hui Wang SCA ,now lives in Taiwan, involved in teaching and researching ceramics and craft design, Taipei, Taiwan
Dr Naoko Yehenara SCA - China / Malaysia/Australia Artist in clay .
Dr Jan Guy SCA – Head of Ceramics Studio at SCA, now part of the University of Sydney main campus. Curator of the Survey show in 2026 for Shoji‘s 80th year
Dr Julie Bartholomew SCA teaching ceramics at ANU Catholic University, Educator & Artist