During the 1950s, ceramic art in America and Europe began to shift from being seen as a craft to being appreciated as an art form. This was partly due to popular artists, such as Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso, who often created abstract artworks in clay. Recently in Japan, more artists, particularly oil painters and wood and plastic sculptors, have also started using clay as a medium.

This exhibition originally showed at the Museum of Modern Ceramic art at Togei no Mori (Ceramic Forest), cultural park in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, and it introduces some of today's best contemporary pieces. Artworks include those by Yoshitomo Nara, Tadanori Yokoo, as well as others by major foreign names, such as Grayson Perry and Richard Shaw; till Aug. 25.

Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu; (0572) 28-3100; 4-2-5 Higashimachi, Tajimi, Gifu; Tajimi Station, JR Chuo Main Line. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ¥800. Closed Mon. (except July 15), July 16. www.cpm-gifu.jp/museum/01.top/index1.html