Akio Shimada

1971 -
  • Wood and Bamboo
  • Awarded twice at the Japan Kōgei Assoc. Exhibition
  • Price Range $1,000 - 9,000
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  • Category
    Wood and Bamboo
  • Techniques
    Mokuga wood decoration, Wood joinery
  • Born
    1971 -
  • Based in
    Hokkaido
  • Membership
    Full member, Japan Kogei Association
    Meister of Swedish Furniture
Akio Shimada

About the Artist

Fusion of Nordic Art and Japanese Crafts

Woodwork artist Akio Shimada received the 70th Anniversary Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, marking its 70th year in 2023. After training in various places around Japan, Shimada went to Sweden to learn Nordic woodwork techniques. When he returned to Japan, he built his studio in Tobetsu Town, Hokkaido and started making furniture with marquetries. In 2007, he received the title "Meister" of Swedish furniture manufacturing, a national qualification in Sweden, for the first time as a Japanese person. At the same time, he also submitted his artwork to the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level techniques and beauty of traditional Japanese crafts gather, and received the 70th Anniversary Award with his most recent work.

Style

When I was a child, I saw a wood engraving and was impressed and amazed by the beauty of the wood grains. Since then, I have been devoted to making things with wood.
I consider the natural colors that the wood has, the wood grains, and how to balance them when working with wood.
I give maximum effort to use the wood grains so that the patterns look three-dimensional when viewed from different angles.

Biography

  • 1971
    Born in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido
  • 1990
    Graduated from Hokkaido Otoineppu Art and Craft High School
  • 1992
    Graduated from Takaoka National College, Industrial Craft Department (current University of Toyama, Faculty of Art and Design)
  • 2000
    Graduated from Capellagården, Furniture & Interior Department (Sweden)
  • 2001
    Established Wood Workshop "Design Studio Shimada" in Tobetsu Town, Ishikari, Hokkaido
  • 2007
    Earned the title of Furniture Meister certified by the Swedish Society of Crafts and Design
  • 2009
    Becomes Part-time Lecturer at Seisa Dohto University, Faculty of Fine Art (up to present)
  • ● Various solo exhibitions and groups exhibitions in Japan and overseas

Awards

  • 2015
    Received the NHK Kyoto Broadcasting Station Manager Award at the Geibunkyo Exhibition 2015 (Kyoto)
  • 2021
    Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the 61st East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

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View All 11 Artworks byAkio Shimada