Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Hiroyuki Nishimura uses reclaimed wood and scavenged materials to produce outwardly sculptural, provocative furniture and decor. Harvesting felled and abandoned trees from the Shonan and Izu Peninsula areas of Japan, Nishimura chooses to work in the medium that speaks to him. Zougei Inc. is the name of his furniture studio in Yugawara, Japan.
While much of the wood Nishimura reclaims is largely deemed unsuitable for conventional furniture or for any other building projects, his proficiency with sculpture proves otherwise, with the artist-designer bringing new life to the material and creating interesting bookcases, side tables and magazine racks through hand-carving techniques and the occasional use of a chainsaw. Nishimura works with the shape of any given fallen tree — he rarely works against the natural form of his chosen material — and creates works that hold a primal appeal and often resemble ancient totemic artifacts.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Nishimura attended the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1986. After graduating, he began working as a prep school teacher, while also pursuing his love of art through sculpting wood. In 2008, Nishimura opened his own studio Zougei Inc. Today, Zougei has production facilities alongside Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Nishimura has won several awards and performed many solo exhibitions throughout his career. His numerous accolades include the Silver Award at the 8th Kajima Sculpture Competition in 2004 and the Grand Prize Award at the 10th Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition in 2010. His many exhibitions include solo shows at the Sekiguchi Art Museum in Tokyo and the GEM Art Gallery of Tokyo.
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2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Metal
1980s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Steel
2010s Dutch Other Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Aluminum, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Paint
2010s Italian Modern Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood, Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Acrylic, Foam, Plywood, Faux Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood, Fruitwood
2010s Japanese Primitive Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood, Driftwood
1950s American Vintage Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Hardwood, Maple, Walnut
1950s American Vintage Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Organic Modern Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Fruitwood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Abstract Sculptures
Wood