Artist profile

Katsura Funakoshi

Sound of Lunar Eclipse (2004)

painted camphor wood and marble
89.5 x 62 x 46 cm (ref:KF0088)

The Tale of the Deep Forest (2011)

painted camphor wood and marble
146 x 46 x 91 cm (ref:KF0089)

Am I Floating? (2011)

painted camphor wood and marble
103.5 x 59 x 32 cm (ref:KF0090)

Words Like a Tower (2011)

painted camphor wood, marble, brass, bronze, glass and stainless steel
123.5 x 63 x 28 cm (ref:KF0093)

Drawing No. 1102 (2011)

pencil and wax crayon on paper
101.1 x 90 cm (ref:KF0095)

Drawing No. 1103 (2011)

pencil and wax crayon on paper
89.7 x 90 cm (ref:KF0096)

Funakoshi is considered a leading name in the field of visual arts in his country, Japan. Working predominantely with camphor wood, his works, usually depicting human figures from the waist up, have a great poetical effect, and are striking and distinctive. Funakoshi works this material in a personal way and leaves visible both the grain of the wood and the marks of carving.

Funakoshi has exhibited his work at the Venice Biennale, the São Paulo Biennale, the Documenta IX, and the Shanghai Biennale, and his work is represented in several art museums in Japan and other countries. He lives and works in Tokyo.

Biography

1951
Born in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
1971–75
Studied Sculpture at the Tokyo Zokei University, Art and Design
1984
Awarded Excellence Prize 'Oyama-City with Sculpture'
1991
Awarded Takashimaya Charitable Trust for Art and Culture Prize
1995
Awarded the 26th Nakahara Teijiro Prize for Excellence
1997
Awarded the 18th Hirakushi Denchu Prize

Selected exhibitions

1993
Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura
2001
Nishimura Gallery, Tokyo
2005
"A Map of Time", Annely Juda Fine Art, London
2009
35th Anniversary: Seven, Nishimura Gallery, Tokyo

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