Kurimoto Natsuki- Lacquer

KURIMOTO NATSUKI is one of Japan’s leading and most innovative young artist in the field of contemporary lacquer art. An extremely prolific artist, immediately upon graduation from Kyoto City University of Arts in 1985, he began exhibiting unusually large scale sculptures in major competitions in which he received important awards. Like some of his contemporaries in this rapidly changing field, he has explored a wide range of materials for creating his forms, including the use of ancient techniques for the forming of sculptured images, such as kanshitsu, made from dry powdered lacquer and also modern synthetic materials. In addition to his large pieces commissioned for public spaces, he has collaborated with many innovative architects. He draws inspiration for both his large and small works from various world cultures as well as from his own wherein he explores and re-interprets forms familiar to all Japanese?the traditional kimono and military arts of the feudal period, such as swords, armor and helmets. A dedicated teacher throughout his career, with a passion for introducing lacquer techniques through workshops and demonstrations, he is now a full time lecturer in the Department of Lacquer Crafts at Kyoto City University of Arts.

1961	Born in Osaka
1985	Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts
1987	Graduated from post-graduated program, Kyoto City University of Arts
PRESENT
Associate Professor at Kyoto City University of Arts
EXHIBITION
2006	Solo exhibition, Gallery Kaede, Osaka , “The International Asian Art Fair,” The 7th Regiment Armory, New York Solo exhibition, Gallery Keifu, Kyoto, “ART SYDNEY 06,” RHI & Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia
2005	Solo exhibition, Gallery Kunugi, Tokyo, “Japanese Cool,” Lesley Kehoe Gallery, Australia
2004	“New Urushi Forms: Three Lacquer Artists from Japan,” Museum of Craft &Folk Art, san Francisco Solo exhibition, Akasaka Inui Gallery, Tokyo, Solo exhibition, Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo and Kyoto
2003	"The Art of Japan: Tradition & Transformation,” Dennos Museum Center, Northwestern Mishigan College, USA
2002	“Exhibition of Japanese Art Featuring,” Consulate of Japan, Australia
2000	“Oxford Art Festival,” Oxford, “VISION,” Toyota Memorial Museum of Art
1999	“A Grand Design” Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Solo exhibition, Contemporary Art NIKI, Tokyo
1998	Solo exhibition, Exhibition Space, Tokyo International Forum
1997	“Inside International Art Exhibition,” Kassel, Germany
1996	“The Vision of Contemporary Art,” The Ueno National Museum, Tokyo
1995	“Japanese Studio Crafts Tradition and the Avant-grade,” Victoria & Albert Museum, London “Premonition of Art-Craft,” Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Yokohama
1994	“Koshimizu, Kurimoto-Beyond the Sculpture, Form and Color” Otani Memorial Art Museum, Hyogo “Japanese Design,” Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
1993	Solo exhibition, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, Gallery &library, Washington D.C.
1992	Solo exhibition, Gallery Kouki, Paris
1991	Solo exhibition, Kouju Gallery, Kyoto (also in ’97), Solo exhibition, Gallery KURANUKI, Osaka (also in ’93, ’96, ’99)
1989	Solo exhibition, Shibuya Seibu Art Gallery, Tokyo (also in ’92) , Suntry Prize ’89 Exhibition, Suntry Museum, Tokyo
1988	Solo exhibition, Esses Gallery, Tokyo
1986	Solo exhibition, Art Space Niji, Kyoto (also in ’89)
1984	Solo exhibition, Gallery Suzuki, Kyoto
PUBLIC COLLECTION
Kyoto City University of Arts, Kyoto, Japan, Argentina Museum of Modern Art, Argentina, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England, Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA, Asia & Pacific Trade Center, Osaka, Japan, Awanosato Art Forum, Tokushima, Japan, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, Sakura Art Museum, Osaka, Japan, Toyota Municipal Museum of Art, Aichi, Japan, Others