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.
Find Zougei furniture on 1stDibs.
Zougei wood Sculpture Shelf Bookcase Televisore
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cardinal and Mr.Tower Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: osmanthus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura...
Wood
Zougei wold wood Sculpture Shelf Bookcase K1
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cardinal and Mr.Tower Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: osmanthus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura...
Wood
$4,600 / item
Zougei Abstract Sculpture Tribal Style shelf 3
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Porter Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf...
Wood
$5,000 / item
Zougei Abstract Sculpture Tribal Style shelf 2
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Nomad Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf ...
Wood
Lane Furniture Oil Drop Lacquer Four Shelf Bookcase / Etagere
By Lane Furniture
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-century four-shelf etagere / bookshelf with an oil drop lacquer finish. (LANE FURNITURE)
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage French Revolving Library Shelf
Located in Hellerup, DK
Elegant vintage French revolving book shelf - it also has small wheels mounted underneath. The mahogany book shelf is made by Em. Terquem who specialized in furniture for libraries.
Mahogany
Bookcase/Shelf With 3 Shelves & Wheels In Mahogany
Located in Lejre, DK
19th century mahogany bookcase/shelf. The furniture is furnished with three shelves and detailed turned columns. At the bottom it is mounted with small wheels, which provides both fu...
Mahogany
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Walnut
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$830 / item
H 36.62 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Black Turtle Bookcase, Designed by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) In Stock in Los Angeles A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a...
Metal
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 50.75 in W 42.5 in D 12 in
Danish Modern Ten Shelf Rosewood Bookcase in the Style of Poul Hundevad
By Poul Hundevad
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and elegant Danish modern ten shelf rosewood bookcase in the style of Poul Hundevad, circa 1960's. The bookcase is in very good vintage condition, has a gorgeous rosewood grain and beveled edged adjustable shelves. The piece measures 42.5"W x 12"D x 50.75"H and would be a great addition to any MCM office...
Rosewood
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Cherry
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Maple
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$950
H 31.5 in W 20.63 in D 10 in
Vintage Bamboo Rattan Decorative Shelf Etagere Bookcase, 1950s-1970s
By Franco Albini, Bonaccina, Vivai del Sud
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage wicker rattan and bamboo cane display, bookshelf, or etagere features 3 tier form with open shelving. The convenient size allows the shelf to be used standing directly on the...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Wire shelf / wall bookcase “Artist” Ikea 1990s
By Niels Gammelgaard, IKEA
Located in Den Haag, NL
Ikea String spirit shelf from tomado / enetri by niels gammelgaard. 2 chrome metal uprights. 5 pine spokes. Attaches to the wall and stands on the floor with two points.
Wire
Three Shelf Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Industrial style shelving unit with black metal frame. Please confirm location.
Metal
Spanish Colonial Carved Wood Wall Mounted Shelf / Pantry Shelf
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Colonial Three-Tier Wall Shelf in Pine Wood, 1940s Three Levels. The upper lever is smaller than the other two ones. This wall hanging shelf has scalloped and carved details...
Wood, Pine
Zougei Furniture Sculptural shelf room divider
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Forest house Sculptural table by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This shelf consists of three separate shelves. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chai...
Wood
Zougei Jenga Sculpture Shelf Bookcase 05
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Jenga Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood ...
Wood