Masakazu Kobayashi

Sound Collage N99

1999

In their collaborations, Masakazu Kobayashi and his wife, Naomi Kobayashi, generally created individual works that were installed together. Kobayashi explained: "These works express a shared vision and such common themes as the tranquility of nature, the infinity of the universe and the Japanese spirit. Naomi and I work in fiber because natural materials have integrity, are gentle and flexible. In my own work, I search for an equilibrium between my capacity as a creator and the energy of the world around me. When I am able to find this equilibrium, my works exist on their own. Among the works I have created are projects that incorporate several styles and emphasize primary colors. In creating such combinations, I want the viewer to experience the resonating chords that come from each element of the work." Selected permanent collections and exhibition venues: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania; Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio; National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Japan; Central Museum of Textiles, Lodz, Poland; Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England; the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Textile Magicians – traveling exhibition); National Museum of Art, Osaka, Japan; American Craft Museum, New York, New York; Lausanne, Switzerland (International Biennials of Tapestry); Mie Prefectural Art Museum, Japan; Gunma Museum of Modern Art, Japan (Sound of the Cosmos-2000); Bankfield Museum, Halifax, England (Textural-SPACE – traveling exhibition). Recipient: Ministry of Culture & Art Prize, 2nd Inter-national Textile Triennial, Lodz, Poland; Outstanding Award, International Textile Competition, Kyoto, Japan; National Museum of Modern Art prize, 1st Enba Exhibition, Japan.