Isamu Noguchi (b. Los Angeles, 1904, and d. New York, 1988) was one of the twentieth century’s most important and critically acclaimed sculptors. Through a lifetime of artistic experimentation, he created sculpture, gardens, furniture and lighting designs, paintings, ceramics, architecture, and set designs. His work, at once subtle and bold, traditional and modern, set a new standard for artistic achievement.
Noguchi, an internationalist, traveled extensively throughout his life. (In his later years he maintained studios both in Japan and New York.) He discovered the impact of large-scale public works in Mexico, earthy ceramics and tranquil gardens in Japan, subtle ink-brush techniques in China, and the purity of marble in Italy. He incorporated all of these inspirations into his work, which utilized a wide range of materials, including stainless steel, marble, cast iron, balsawood, bronze, sheet aluminum, basalt, granite, and even water.
Noguchi’s contributions are significant to art history and design, and he may be connected to many noteworthy artists, such as Constanin Brâncuşi, Buckminster Fuller, Alexander Calder, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, and John Cage, to name a few.
