Ryuhei Sako

• Category
  Metalwork
• Techniques
  Mokumegane, Embossing, Hard soldering
• Born
  1976 -
• Based in
  Okayama
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  

About the Artist

Showing His One-and-Only Presence with His original Techniques

Patterns that look like wood grains called "mokumegane (wood grain metal)" are created by hammering layers of metal. The artworks of Ryuhei Sako, who has excellent skills to make wood grain metal, are very unique. The distinctive patterns and dignified aura of metal express his original mystical world. In 2003, he received the Tokyo Governor Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the artworks of Living National Treasures to young artists gather. Following this, he has received many other awards at various exhibitions. His artwork is collected by museums overseas. He is an artist highly evaluated and popular within Japan and abroad.

Biography

• 1976
  Born in Okayama Prefecture
• 1999
  Graduated from Hiroshima City University, Faculty of Arts, Department of Design and Applied Arts
• 2002
  Graduated from Hiroshima City University Graduate School of Arts, Doctoral Degree Program
• 2004
  Becomes Full Memer of the Japan Kōgei Association (up to present)
• 2010
  "Invited International Exhibition of KCDA" at Gallery AING (Seoul, South Korea)
• 2011
  The 2nd Okayama Prefectural Mr. I Development of Rising Artists Award Exhibition at Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (Okayama)
• 2013
  "COLLECT – The International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design" at Saatchi Gallery (London, UK)
• 2015
  "PAD London" at Berkley Square (London, UK)
• 2017
  "Tresor" at the Messe Basel (Basel, Switzerland)
• 2018
  "LOEWE Craft Prize 2018" at the Design Museum (London, UK)
  "Meister der Moderene" at Messe München (Munich, Germany)
  Solo Exhibition "Trail" at Tenmaya, Okayama Store (Okayama)
• 2019
  "Masterpiece London Art Fair" at the Royal Hospital Chelsea (London, UK)
• 2020
  "Kōgei 2020 - The Art of Crafting Beauty from Nature" at the Tokyo National Museum
  "Japanese Wonder" at Erskine, Hall & Coe (London, UK)
  Solo Exhibition "View of Layers" at Seikado Gallery (Kyoto)
• 2021
  "Japan: A History of Style" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, USA)
  "Highights Munich" at the Munich Residence (Munich, Germany)
  Solo Exhibition "Covered Layered Vessels" at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store (Tokyo)
• 2022
  "What Colour is Metal?" at the Dublin Castle (Dublin, Ireland)
  "Art & Antique" at Residenz Salzburg (Salzburg, Austria)
  "ARTEFACT 2022" at the Design Centre (London, UK)

Awards

• 2003
  Received the Tokyo Governor Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2008
  Received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award at the Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2011
  Received the Special Anniversary Award at the Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2012
  Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2016
  Received the Grand Award at the 32nd Tansuiō Award Exhibition held by the Satoh Artcraft Research & Scholarship Foundation
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Award at the Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2017
  NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station Manager Award, 60th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2024
  Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Award, 67th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2025
  MOA Museum of Art Award, 53rd Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Public Collections

• The British Museum
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• National Museum of Asian Art
• Ashmolean Museum
• Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art
• Hasegawa Machiko Art Museum
• Hiroshima City University
• Ise Foundation