Zougei Shelves
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.
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Shelves
Wood
2010s Japanese Tribal Zougei Shelves
Wood
1980s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Zougei Shelves
Steel
2010s Dutch Other Zougei Shelves
Aluminum, Metal
2010s Italian Modern Zougei Shelves
Wood, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Zougei Shelves
Metal
Late 20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Zougei Shelves
Wood
2010s North American Modern Zougei Shelves
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Zougei Shelves
Oak, Wood
2010s Belgian Other Zougei Shelves
Marble
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Zougei Shelves
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Zougei Shelves
Composition
2010s Italian Modern Zougei Shelves
Sheet Metal, Steel
2010s Italian Modern Zougei Shelves
Metal