Loading...

Behind the Scenes – Yuichi OTAKE

We are pleased to announce the opening of the "Yuichi Otake Sculpture of Iron" exhibition at ARTS&SCIENCE Aoyama, starting today. Experience the iron works of sculptor Yuichi Otake, based in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, within the fashion-forward environment of A&S Aoyama. We invite you to immerse yourself in the spatial expression created by the evolving store displays alongside Otake’s collection. The works will be on display until the end of the year.

After graduating from Nagoya Junior College of Art & Design, Yuichi Otake lived in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1972 to 1980, during which he studied sculpture and printmaking at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Before moving to Europe, he held a solo exhibition featuring his sculptures, and from 1975 onward, he focused on printmaking. In the 1980s, he returned to creating iron sculptures, which continues to the present day. Each of his works is characterized by simple forms and a delicate consideration in their creation. At A&S Aoyama, we are showcasing works produced between 1986 and 2023. We invite you to experience the harmony of the pieces with the surrounding space.

Additionally, the exhibition will be held at SHINYA Japanese Art & Design in Kyoto starting on Saturday, October 26. We have asked the owner, Shinya Okunishi, who has been introducing Yuichi Otake’s works since 2009, to share his thoughts on the pieces.

MESSAGE

“SHINYA specializes in antique art but hosts a biennial exhibition of Yuichi Otake’s iron sculptures, showcasing his current works. Otake employs flat iron plates to construct three-dimensional forms, skillfully assembling them through welding, which creates hollow interiors. The craftsmanship is so refined that the joints are virtually invisible. Once completed, the sculptures are intentionally left outdoors to endure the elements, allowing nature to create unique rust patterns and textures. Despite similar shapes, the variations in rust due to different times, seasons, and locations ensure that no two pieces are alike—each work is truly one of a kind.

 

I am drawn to the simple shapes, the elegance of the lines, and the surface rust and textures that nature creates in Yuichi Otake’s works. Perhaps it is the connection to antique art that attracts me to his creations. The natural materials and straightforward forms of his pieces make them feel at home in any setting, whether on tatami, in a tokonoma, or on concrete. I believe A&S’s commitment to using high-quality materials resonates with the essence of Otake’s artistry. I eagerly anticipate his exhibition at A&S Aoyama.”

 

― Shinya Okunishi, SHINYA Japanese Art & Design

PROFILE

Yuichi OTAKE

Sculptor Yuichi Otake was born in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture, in 1949. He graduated from Nagoya Junior College of Art & Design in 1970, majoring in sculpture, and lived in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1972. In 1975, he began his artistic journey under the guidance of a copperplate engraving studio and graduated from the Ecole des Beaux Arts sculpture department in 1977, focusing on copperplate engraving. After returning to Japan in 1980, he began creating iron sculptures in Tajimi. Otake has held solo exhibitions at various galleries, including the antique art gallery SHINYA in Kyoto. In 2020, he was awarded the 10th Enku Prize.

Back to Index

Related Posts