The freestanding figures, the drawings and prints by Akio Takamori (1950–2017) are an exploration and investigation into cultural identity. The artist, who grew up in Japan, lived in the United States from the mid 70s. His work, often shaped by his life experiences, focuses on the human figure, and his central theme is the never-ending search for personal and cultural identity in a time of increasingly global influences and conflicts.
Akio Takamori’s works are inspired by the memory of his childhood and by the people around him. From memory or with the help of photographs, he created his own fusion of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional, painting poignant figures in a detailed manner, reminiscent of Japanese ink painting. They are meticulously formed, unique personalities: fishmongers, school children, sleeping people and gossiping women, but also figures from history and art history. Characterized as a commuter between cultures, Akio Takamori blended time, history, and culture in order to create a global village.
Biography
- Akio Takamori (1950–2017)
- 1978, M.F.A. New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY
- 1976, B.F.A. Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
1972–1974, Apprentice in traditional domestic pottery, Koishiwara, Fukuoka, Japan - 1969–1971, Musashino Art University, Tokyo, Japan
- 1993–2014, Professor of Art / Ceramics, School of Art, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Distinctions / Awards Grants
- 2015, Mayor’s Art Award for Arts & Innovation, Seattle, WA
- 2011, USA Ford Fellow, Los Angeles, CA
- 2008, Neddy Artist Fellowship for Painting and Ceramics, Seattle, WA
- 2006, Elected to the American Craft Council College of Fellows, New York, NY
Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant, New York, NY - 2004, Visual Artists Award, Flintridge Foundation, Pasadena, CA
- 2001, Virginia A. Groot Foundation Grant, Evanston, IL
- 1996, Fellowship, European Ceramic Work Centre, ‘sHertongenbosch, NL
- 1992/88/86, Visual Artists Fellowship Grant, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC
Solo Exhibitions (selected)
- 2016, Long Distance, Kunstforum Solothurn, Solothurn, CH
Laura Russo Gallery, Portland, OR - 2015, The Beginning of Everything, James Harris Gallery, Seattle, WA
Akio Takamori, Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, MO - 2014, Eros, Kunstforum Solothurn, Solothurn, CH
New Work, Frank Lloyd Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
New Work, Harvey/Meadows Gallery, Aspen, CO - 2013, Portraits Ordinaires, Musée Ariana, Genève, CH
- 2012/13, Equivalents, Kunstforum Solothurn, Solothurn, CH
- 2012, People/Alphabet, Barry Friedman Ltd, New York, NY
- 2011, Boys, James Harris Gallery, Seattle, WA
- 2010, A Recent Survey, Harvey/Meadows Gallery, Aspen, CO
- 2009, Europeans, James Harris Gallery, Seattle, WA
Alice/Venus, Barry Friedman Ltd, New York, NY
Witte Zaal, Sint-Lucas Beeldende Kunst, Gent, B - 2007, New Work, Frank Lloyd Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
Figures in Clay, International Ceramic Studio, Kecskemet, H - 2006, The Laughing Monks, Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- 2005, Between Clouds of Memory, Akio Takamori, a Mid-Career Survey, Arizona State University Art Museum, Tempe, AZ
Innocence, Garth Clark Gallery, New York, NY - 2004, Sleeping Figures, Frank Lloyd Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
New Work, Grover / Thurston Gallery, Seattle, WA - 2003, Omnipotent, Garth Clark Gallery, New York, NY
- 2002, Others and Self: Grover / Thurston Gallery, Seattle, WA
- 2001, Boat, Frank Lloyd Gallery, Santa Monica, CA
- 2000, Ensemble, Grover / Thurston Gallery, Seattle, WA