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One of the most artistically gifted of the younger generation of bamboo artists , Morigami's parents are both bamboo artisans who work commercially. He enrolled at the Beppu Occupational School in 1979, and he already had a solid foundation in bamboo. His graduation was fortuitously timed. The Japanese economy was strong and his gentle, delicate designs had broad appeal for decorating modern apartments. For a time, he had so many department store orders that he employed several young assistants. A fine designer and craftsman, Morigami is credited with introducing a new style of bamboo basketry to the Beppu market.

As a young artist he submitted his work to Nitten, the Japan Fine Arts Association, in a highly unusual process, was accepted without having to advance through the interim stages. The resentment that ensued from more senior artists contributed to his decision to end his involvement with Japan's public exhibition system for many years.

By the time his work was introduced to collectors in the United States, he was so consumed with earning a living for his family that he had given up creating new artwork. Today, Western interest has breathed new life into his career. Since 2005, when his work was again accepted in Nitten, the artist has enjoyed renewed success in Japan and abroad. He is working on a series of topography-themed sculpture made in a style of hexagonal plaiting that is a radical departure from the traditional.

Morigami's pieces are part of collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Denver Art Museum, and the Museum of Art and Design in New York City. In 2004, he was a finalist for the prestigious Cotsen Prize.


Born 1955, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan

 

Education

1978
Graduated Tsurumi High School in Oita Prefecture

 

Selected Exhibitions

2014
Bamboo weaving demonstration, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA
Group show, Japanese American Cultural Community Center, Los Angeles, USA
SOFA Chicago, USA

2013
Birds in the Art of Japan, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Oita?s Art Movement, in partnership withthe Oita Prefectural Government, a museum-quality show, TAI Gallery, Santa Fe
Fired Earth, Woven Bamboo, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

2012
SOFA New York
Int?l. Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show, New York

2011
Dallas Art Fair
SOFA New York
Art Chicago and SOFA Chicago
Art Antiques London
ManyShapes of Bamboo V, Oita Prefectural Art Museum, Japan
SOFA West: Santa Fe
Houston Art Fair
Int?l. Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show, New York City
Beauty in All Things: Japanese Art and Design, Museum of Art & Design, New York

2010
SOFA New York
Art Chicago and SOFA Chicago
Dallas Art Fair
SOFAWest: Santa Fe ? participated in the art fair and demonstrated bamboo basket making on site
ManyShapes of Bamboo IV, Oita Prefectural Art Museum, Japan
Int?l.Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show, New York
Art Miami

2009
Many Shapes of Bamboo III, Oita Prefectural Art Museum, Japan
SOFA New York
SOFA West: Santa Fe
Art Miami

2008
PalmBeach!, West Palm Beach, Florida
New Bamboo: Contemporary Japanese Masters,The Japan Society, New York

2007
The Next Generation, Asian Art Museum,San Francisco
Arts of Pacific Asia, San Francisco
International Asian Art Fair, New York

2006
Palm Beach!, West Palm Beach, Florida
International Asian Art Fair, New York
Art Miami
Power & Delicacy: Master Works of Japanese Bamboo Art, TAI Gallery, Santa Fe
Hin: The Quiet Beauty of Japanese Art, Grinnell College, Iowa
Hin: The Quiet Beauty of Japanese Art, Chicago Cultural Center
Exhibited at Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

2005
Palm Beach!, West Palm Beach, Florida
San Francisco International Art Exhibition
International Asian Art Fair, New York
SOFA New York
SOFA Chicago
The International Art & Design Fair, New York

2004
San Francisco International Art Exhibition
Palm Beach!, West Palm Beach, Florida
SOFA New York
Antiques Chicago and SOFA Chicago
International Asian Art Fair, New York
International Art & Design Fair, New York

2003
Exhibited at Tigerman Himmel Gallery, Chicago
Exhibited at Hali Fair, London
SOFA New York
Antiques Chicago and SOFA Chicago
International Asian Art Fair, New York
International Art & Design Fair, New York

2002
The Next Generation, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
International Art & Design Fair, New York
Arts of Pacific Asia, San Francisco
International Asian Art Fair, New York and SOFA New York

2001
Arts of Pacific Asia, San Francisco
International Asian Art Fair, New York
Bamboo Fantasies, TAI Gallery, Santa Fe
SOFA New York
SOFA Chicago

2000
International Asian Art Fair, New York
SOFA New York and SOFA Chicago
International 20th Century Art Fair, New York

1999
International Asian Art Fair, New York
SOFA New York and SOFA Chicago
International 20th Century Art Fair, New York

1998
SOFA Chicago

1985
First Solo Exhibition, Gifu Takashimaya

 

 

Museum Collections

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, USA

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, USA

Denver Art Museum, Colorado, USA

Mint Museum of Craft and Design, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Craft Art Museum, JAPAN

Oita Prefecture Art Hall, JAPAN

Jin Morigami