Katsura Funakoshi

Place: Morioka City

Born: 1951

Death: 2024

Biography:

Katsura Funakoshi was a Japanese sculptor born in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan in 1951. He received a BA in 1975 from Tokyo Zokei University and an MA in 1977 from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Funakoshi's work is known for his marble and camphor wood figurative carvings, often depicting human figures from the waist up. His sculptures have a great poetical effect and are striking and distinctive, with visible grain of the wood and marks of carving.

Early Life and Education

Funakoshi's early life and education played a significant role in shaping his artistic style. He was born in Morioka City, which is known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional Japanese architecture. His time at Tokyo Zokei University and Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music helped him develop his skills as a sculptor and exposed him to various artistic styles.

Artistic Style and Notable Works

Funakoshi's sculptures are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and attention to detail. He often used marble and camphor wood to create figurative carvings that depicted human figures from the waist up. Some of his notable works include Winter Book, Hands Can Reach the Sea, and Moon Shining on Forest. These sculptures can be found at the Meiji Jingu Forest Festival of Art in Tokyo, Japan. Key aspects of Funakoshi's artistic style include:

• Use of marble and camphor wood as primary materials
• Figurative carvings that depict human figures from the waist up
• Visible grain of the wood and marks of carving
• Simplicity, elegance, and attention to detail in his sculptures

Exhibitions and Collections

Funakoshi's work has been exhibited at various museums and galleries, including the Venice Biennale, São Paulo Biennale, Documenta IX, and Shanghai Biennale. His sculptures are also part of several art museums in Japan and other countries, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Gifu, Japan. Funakoshi's work can be found on Wikioo.org, which features a collection of his sculptures and provides information about his life and artistic style. For more information about Funakoshi and other Japanese sculptors, visit Wikioo.org. Funakoshi passed away on March 29, 2024, at the age of 72, but his legacy lives on through his sculptures and the impact he had on the art world.