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biography

Shigeru Saito was born in Tokyo in 1974. He lives and works in Cassino (Italy).

In 1997 he graduated in Fine Arts at Meisei University. His education was also completed with studies of Industrial Design and Architecture. In 2000 and 2002 he exhibited at the International Sculpture Exhibition of Kajima, in Tokyo, receiving awards and recognitions in both editions.

In Japan, he met Kunio Kondo, sculptor and professor of traditional Japanese architecture, great friend of Enrico Castellani, who introduces him to the works of the Italian artist. Saito was stunned by Castellani’s relief surfaces. This originated a deep and profitable bond with Italy and fruitful research on materials that Saito studies with constant passion and dedication. Wood, marble, metals: the ability to bend these materials to the artist’s will is distinctive in his work. He creates works that oscillate between the minimalism of composition and geometrical virtuosity, everything concretized in harmonious forms, very often starting from the analysis of platonic solids.

From 2005 to 2007 he is delegated to Italy for artistic research on behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Japan.

In 2006 he exhibited at the 13th International Biennale of the Museum of Sculpture of Carrara. In 2013 he participates in the exhibition Infinite Reflection at the CaMusAC in Cassino, where his works are placed into dialogue with those by Castellani.

Over the past 15 years, numerous sculptural commissions were assigned to Saito between Japan and Italy. The last one was a public commission for the realization of a work for the Florence Courthouse, following his winning of a contest held by the municipality of the Tuscan capital.

 

Shigeru Saito nasce a Tokio nel 1974. Vive e lavora in Cassino.

Nel 1997 si laurea in Belle Arti presso l’Università di Meisei, ma la sua formazione accademica passa anche attraverso il disegno industriale. Nel 2000 e 2002 espone alla Mostra Internazionale di Scultura di KAJIMA, a Tokio, ricevendo premi e riconoscimenti in entrambe le edizioni.

In Giappone conosce Kunio Kondo, scultore e professore della cattedra di architettura tradizionale giapponese, grande amico di Enrico Castellani, che lo introduce ai lavori dell’artista italiano. Saito resta folgorato dalle superfici estroflesse di Castellani. Nasce un legame profondo e proficuo con l’Italia, patria di Castellani, nonché luogo di feconda ricerca sui materiali che Saito studia con costante passione e dedizione. Legno, marmo, metalli: la capacità di piegare questi materiali alla volontà plastica dell’artista è peculiare nel suo lavoro. Realizza così opere che oscillano tra il minimalismo della composizione e il virtuosismo geometrico, il tutto concretizzato in forme armoniche, partendo molto spesso dall’analisi dei solidi platonici.

Dal 2005 al 2007 è delegato in Italia per la ricerca artistica per conto del Ministero degli Affari Culturali giapponese.

Nel 2006 espone alla XIII Biennale Internazionale del Museo di Scultura di Carrara. Nel 2013 partecipa alla mostra Infinito Riflesso presso il CaMusAC di Cassino, dove le sue opere dialogano con quelle di Castellani.

Sono numerose le commissioni scultoree che gli sono state richieste tra il Giappone e l’Italia negli ultimi quindici anni. L’ultima, quella pubblica per la realizzazione di un’opera per il Palazzo di Giustizia di Firenze a seguito della vittoria di un concorso indetto dal Comune del capoluogo toscano.

curriculum

Born in 11 November 1974 in Tokyo, Japan. He lives and works in Cassino, Italy

Graduate: University of Meisei in Department of Art and Design in 1997

Degree: Industrial Design, Plastic Arts of woods

Overseas Services of artistic research to Italy 2005-2007: Ministry of Culture of Japan.

 

Selected exhibitions

1999

Ono Gallery Ginza, Tokyo Japan

2000

The Sixth Kajima International Sculpture Competition, Tokyo Japan

2002

The Seventh Kajima International Sculpture Competition, Tokyo Japan

International symposium of Sculpture in Verona (Italy)

2003

International symposium of Sculpture in Pietrasanta, Italy

The Sixth Toya Villege International Sculpture Biennale, Hokkaido Japan

2006

The Thirteenth International Biennale of Sculpture of Carrara (Italy)

2013

“Infinito riflesso” collective exhibition with Enrico Castellani, CaMusAC, Cassino (Italy)

2014

“Modularità C” Mimmo Scognamiglio contemporary art gallery, Milan

2015

“Made in Steel” fair of Milan, Rho Milan Italy”

“Icastica 2015 cultivate culture”, Arezzo (Italy)

2017

“BAG2017” Bocconi art gallery, University of Bocconi Milan

2018

“images shadows ideas” the open box, Milan

“Equilibrium”, Mazzoleni, Turin (Italy) and London

2019

“Incontro di box/boxing match” the open box, Milan

2021

“Come pesci nell’acqua” Asilobianco, Lago d’Orta (Italy)

“Zona Bianca Zero” Woolbridge Art Gallery, Biella (Italy)

“ BAG Bocconi Art Gallery 2021” University of Bocconi, Milan

 

Public Works

2002

“Gentleness control forces” municipal office of Negrar, Verona (Italy)

2004

“Biological clock”, Prefecture office of Gunma, Japan

2006

“Shadow of thought” Museum of Sculpture of Carrara (Italy)

2007

“Xenon 3000” CaMusAC Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Cassino (Italy)

2011

“The providence” Italian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan

“Cosmobeat” University of Niigata, Japan

2013

“Composite” CaMusAC Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Cassino (Italy)

2018

“Prima del tramonto” Courthouse of Florence (Italy)

“Spread” Round about of San Raffaele, Cassino (Italy)

 

Awards

2000

The Sixth Kajima International Sculpture Competition, Tokyo

2002

The Seventh Kajima International Sculpture Competition, Tokyo

2003

The Sixth Toya Village International Sculpture Biennale, Hokkaido (Japan)

2004

GOAC Gunma Open space Art Competition 1st prize, Gunma (Japan)

2017

Competition of Art for Courthouse of Florence 1st prize (Italy)