Koichi Matsufuji

'Seated Baby of Mercy' Cast Glass, Inlaid Glass Eyes, Wood

2019

Koichi Matsufuji was born in 1973 in Nagasaki, Japan. He studied glass working at Aichi University of Education, and after graduating he went to the United States with the support of a Pola Art Foundation Researcher Overseas Grant.

In the United States, Matsufuji studied sculpture at Illinois State University and received his master's degree in 2001. He was the Artist in Residence at a number of organizations, including New York’s Edward F. Albee Foundation and the Creative Glass Center of America in New Jersey (now WheatonArts), and later occupied similar seats at various events in Turkey and Japan. Today Matsufuji lives and works as an artist in Toyama, Japan.

The surfaces of Matsufuji's most representative works — those of the "Baby Series" — are finished with ground glass. As the ground glass provides a kaleidoscope of surface facades, depending on the way the light shines, the pieces glisten like just polished jewels. Matsufuji uses the lost-wax kiln casting glass technique in making much of his work. It starts with the making of the original form of the piece in wax, followed by the addition of refractory plaster to create a mold. Then, the mold is filled with glass and set in the electric kiln. The glass is melted at a temperature of 900°C and then cooled slowly over a number of days, after which it is removed and carefully polished.

Matsufuji says that his works gain a soul during the time they spend in the kiln, and therefore he’s extraordinarily careful when he takes them out and polishes them. He then inserts the babies’ eyes for the finishing touch. Today Matsufuji’s works can be found at galleries and in collections in the United States, Asia and Europe.

Find a collection of original Koichi Matsufuji sculptures on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Ai Bo Gallery)