Michihiro Kosuge, Shell
Michihiro Kosuge:
The Quiet Voice of Metal and Stone
February 9 - 24, 2008
Past event information:
The Portland Japanese Garden was pleased to host the exhibition of a selection of stone and metal sculpture by Tokyo-born artist, Michihiro Kosuge. This exhibition launched the first of the new Art in the Garden series of four exhibitions throughout 2008 through which the Portland Japanese Garden celebrates the four seasons. Successfully bridging East and West, Kosuge has been a prominent sculptor on the West Coast art scene since he received his MFA from San Francisco Art Institute in 1970. A resident of Portland since 1977, he is noted for the many commissioned works of outdoor public art at sites throughout the region, and his work has been shown in over 100 exhibitions over his accomplished career. One of his large metal works is prominently installed in the outdoor Sculpture Mall of the Portland Art Museum.
Michihiro Kosuge, Composition, 1971
As former Chairman of the Department of Art at Portland State University, Professor Kosuge has had major impact on more than one generation of young artists, bringing a broad international perspective to both his teaching and his work. The sculptures chosen for this exhibition speak eloquently of his interest in the nature and use of material and surface, transforming the natural qualities of metal and stone (primarily Columbia River basalt and red granite from Oregon, Washington, and California) with the carefully considered touch of the stone cutter's tools. Professor Kosuge was represented by Laura Russo Gallery in Portland, Oregon, who helped to support this exhibition.
This exhibition was inspired by the generous gift from Herbert and Ardith Shapiro to the Garden of one of Michihiro Kosuge's stone sculptures entitled Caryatid, 1999, on view for the first time outdoors in the Garden from February 9 - March 31.
