Initially presenting strong graphic and angular qualities, Japanese born artist
Toru Sugita leaves traces of his calligraphic experience in his decidedly contemporary
works. Yet more than an aesthete, he seeks to impart strong notions of time, motion and
change. As such, his works reveal a greater human value, elucidating how time changes our
life. The street scenes represented in this exhibit are from rural Japan, and show how
modernization is affecting small towns. His definitive and lucid brushwork take the
aesthetics of calligraphy beyond symbology.
Towards Left, 2002
18" x 24", oil on canvas
"I
feel moved when sunlight touches an object in the afternoon, making a momentary drama of
color and shape. These shapes and colors may change or disappear in the next moment. My
work is about capturing these moments long enough to make art out of them."
Floor Drama, 1998
18" x 24", oil on canvas
Collected
She and the Street, 2001
16" x 12", oil on canvas
Collected
"The
process reminds me of the transitional environment of my native town in Japan and also San
Francisco where I reside now. I see a connection between my interest in the transience of
old constructions and my attachment to the ephemeral quality of light and shadow."
Parasol, 2000
24" x 18", oil on canvas
Collected
"The graphic nature of black and white leads me to lines and
shapes found in architectural elements. Once I eliminated color from my work, I found
myself drawn to the exploration of space itself."
Explore 4, 2001
30" x 40", oil on canvas
Collected
Mr. Sugita received his MFA degree from San Francisco State
University, CA and his bachelor's degree from Kyoto University, Japan. He has won numerous
printmaking awards and has exhibited in the USA, Europe and Japan. Mr. Sugita has been
published in Sagas Magazine and DisOrient Jounarizine. His works are in numerous private
and public collections, including Achenbach Foundation of Graphic Arts, Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco, California, Machida Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, Japan, Pomona
College, Montgomery Gallery, California, and Royal Museum of Antwerp, Belgium.
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Initially presenting strong graphic and angular qualities, Japanese born artist
Toru Sugita leaves traces of his calligraphic experience in his decidedly contemporary
works. Yet more than an aesthete, he seeks to impart strong notions of time, motion and
change. As such, his works reveal a greater human value, elucidating how time changes our
life. The street scenes represented in this exhibit are from rural Japan, and show how
modernization is affecting small towns. His definitive and lucid brushwork take the
aesthetics of calligraphy beyond symbology.
"I
feel moved when sunlight touches an object in the afternoon, making a momentary drama of
color and shape. These shapes and colors may change or disappear in the next moment. My
work is about capturing these moments long enough to make art out of them."
"The
process reminds me of the transitional environment of my native town in Japan and also San
Francisco where I reside now. I see a connection between my interest in the transience of
old constructions and my attachment to the ephemeral quality of light and shadow."
"The graphic nature of black and white leads me to lines and
shapes found in architectural elements. Once I eliminated color from my work, I found
myself drawn to the exploration of space itself."
Mr. Sugita received his MFA degree from San Francisco State
University, CA and his bachelor's degree from Kyoto University, Japan. He has won numerous
printmaking awards and has exhibited in the USA, Europe and Japan. Mr. Sugita has been
published in Sagas Magazine and DisOrient Jounarizine. His works are in numerous private
and public collections, including Achenbach Foundation of Graphic Arts, Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco, California, Machida Museum of Graphic Arts, Tokyo, Japan, Pomona
College, Montgomery Gallery, California, and Royal Museum of Antwerp, Belgium.
Amit May Fine Arts