Satoru Abe
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Satoru Abe (born 13 June 1926) is a Japanese American sculptor and painter.


Biography

Abe was born in Moiliili, a district of
Honolulu Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island ...
,
Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
. He attended
President William McKinley High School President William McKinley High School, more commonly referred to as McKinley High School, is a comprehensive public high school in the Honolulu District of the Hawaii State Department of Education. It serves grades nine through twelve. McKinley i ...
, where he took art lessons from Shirley Ximena Hopper Russell. After graduating from high school he worked for the Dairymen's Association. In 1947 he began taking art lessons from
Hon Chew Hee Hon Chew Hee (1906 – 1993) was an American muralist, watercolorist and printmaker who was born in Kahului, on the Hawaiian island of Maui in 1906. He grew up in China, where he received his early training in Chinese brush painting. He r ...
and decided to pursue an art career in New York City. On his way to New York, in 1948, Abe spent a summer at the California School for Fine Arts. When he reached New York Abe attended the
Art Students League of New York The Art Students League of New York is an art school at 215 West 57th Street in Manhattan, New York City, New York. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists. Although artists may stu ...
where he studied with
Yasuo Kuniyoshi was a Japanese-American painter, photographer and printmaker. Biography Kuniyoshi was born on September 1, 1889 in Okayama, Japan. He immigrated to the United States in 1906, choosing not to attend military school in Japan. Kuniyoshi original ...
, George Grosz,
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and Jon Corbino, N.A. (1905-1964). From 1948 to 1959, Abe traveled to New York regularly.Papanikolas, Theresa and Stephen Salel, Stephen, ''Abstract Expressionism, Looking East from the Far West'', Honolulu Museum of Art, 2017, , p. 19 He married Ruth, a fellow student from
Wahiawa Wahiawa ( haw, Wahiawā, ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States, on the island of Oahu. It is in the Wahiawa District, on the plateau or "central valley" between the two volcanic mountains that comprise the ...
, and they returned to Hawaii in 1950 with their daughter Gail. In Hawaii Abe met local artist
Isami Doi Isami Doi (May 12, 1903 – November 29, 1965) was an American printmaker and painter. Biography Doi was the first son of Japanese immigrants, born in Ewa on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands in 1903. He moved with his family to th ...
, who would become a close friend and mentor. Although Abe began as a painter, he learned welding from
Bumpei Akaji Bumpei Akaji (1921–2002) was an American sculptor from Hawaii. He was known for welding large copper and brass sculptures which can be seen all over Hawaii as part of Hawaii's Art in Public Places program. Biography Akaji was born in Lawai, ...
in 1951, and the two artists began a series of copper work experiments. During these few years in Hawaii, Abe also formed the Metcalf Chateau with
Bumpei Akaji Bumpei Akaji (1921–2002) was an American sculptor from Hawaii. He was known for welding large copper and brass sculptures which can be seen all over Hawaii as part of Hawaii's Art in Public Places program. Biography Akaji was born in Lawai, ...
, Edmund Chung, Tetsuo Ochikubo, Jerry T. Okimoto, James Park, and
Tadashi Sato Tadashi Sato (February 6, 1923 – June 4, 2005) was an American artist. He was born in Kaupakalua on the Hawaiian island of Maui. His father had been a pineapple laborer, merchant, and calligrapher, and Tadashi's grandfather was a sumi-e ...
. Their first group exhibition was in 1954. In 1956, Abe returned to New York and found a creative home at the
SculptureCenter SculptureCenter is a not-for-profit, contemporary art museum located in Long Island City, Queens, New York City. It was founded in 1928 as "The Clay Club" by Dorothea Denslow. In 2013, SculptureCentre attracted around 13,000 visitors. History Fo ...
, where his work attracted the attention of gallery owners and others. In 1963, Abe was awarded a
Guggenheim Fellowship Guggenheim Fellowships are grants that have been awarded annually since by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the ar ...
. Abe returned to Hawai'i in 1970, and in the same year was offered a
National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal ...
Artist in Resident grant.


Beliefs

Abe believes in reincarnation and this has influenced his work.


Works

Abe is best known for his sculptures of abstracted natural forms, many of which resemble trees, such as ''East and West'' in the collection of the
Hawaii State Art Museum The No. 1 Capitol District Building, on the site of the former Armed Services YMCA Building, now houses the Hawaii State Art Museum and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. History While they were both in the cabinet, under King ...
. He also painted. ''Two Abstract Figures'' in the collection of the
Honolulu Museum of Art The Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly the Honolulu Academy of Arts) is an art museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. The museum is the largest of its kind in the state, and was founded in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke. The museum has one of the largest single col ...
typifies this aspect of his work. The
Honolulu Museum of Art The Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly the Honolulu Academy of Arts) is an art museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. The museum is the largest of its kind in the state, and was founded in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke. The museum has one of the largest single col ...
and the
Hawaii State Art Museum The No. 1 Capitol District Building, on the site of the former Armed Services YMCA Building, now houses the Hawaii State Art Museum and the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. History While they were both in the cabinet, under King ...
are among the public collections that hold Abe's works.Honolulu Museum of Art, ''Spalding House Self-guided Tour, Sculpture Garden'', 2014, PP. 12 & 15 His sculptures in public places include: * ''Three Rocks on a Hill'',
Honolulu Community College Honolulu Community College is a public community college in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is one of ten branches of the University of Hawaii system and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. HCC's strengths are in its industr ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1975 * ''Among the Ruins'',
Leeward Community College Leeward Community College is a public community college in Pearl City, Hawaii. It is one of 10 campuses of the University of Hawaii system and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Leeward's open admiss ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1973 * ''Tree of Knowledge'',
Nanakuli High and Intermediate School Nānākuli High and Intermediate School is the best public secondary school in the Nānākuli CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It was established in 1967 and serves grades 7 through 12. By 2012 the school began the New T ...
, Nanakuli, Hawaii, 1971 * ''Enchanting Garden'',
President William McKinley High School President William McKinley High School, more commonly referred to as McKinley High School, is a comprehensive public high school in the Honolulu District of the Hawaii State Department of Education. It serves grades nine through twelve. McKinley i ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1983 * ''Three Clouds'',
Honolulu International Airport Daniel K. Inouye International Airport , also known as Honolulu International Airport, is the main airport of Oahu, Hawaii.Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1974 * ''An Island of Trees'',
Honolulu International Airport Daniel K. Inouye International Airport , also known as Honolulu International Airport, is the main airport of Oahu, Hawaii.Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1987 * ''The Seed'',
Farrington High School Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School is a public grades 9–12 high school located in the Kalihi district of Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, United States. The school is named after the late Wallace Rider Farrington, the sixth g ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1996 * ''Reaching for the Sun'',
Hawaii Convention Center The Hawai‘i Convention Center is a convention and exhibition center in Hawaii, located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The Hawaii Convention Center is the largest exhibition center of its type in the state. It is located directly to the ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1997 * ''Early Spring'', 'Aiea High School,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1976 * ''A Community Surrounded by Sugar Cane'', Kamiloa Elementary School,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1978. * ''Moon Beyond the Fence'', Pearl City High School,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1981 * ''Spring, Summer, Autumn'', James B. Castle High School,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1980. * ''Five Logs on a Hill'',
Kau High and Pahala Elementary School Kaū High & Pāhala Elementary School is a public, co-educational high school, middle school and elementary school of the Hawaii State Department of Education. It serves kindergarten through twelfth grade and was established in 1881. It was th ...
, Pahala, Hawaii, 1975 * ''Landscape on the Ocean'',
Waiakea High School Waiākea High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Hilo, Hawaii. The school's mascot is the Warrior. It is part of the Hawaii State Department of Education. The school graduated its first class in 1980, and has about 1300 stud ...
,
Waiakea, Hawaii Waiākea is an ancient subdivision ('' ahupuaa'') in the Hilo District of the Big Island of Hawaii and an early settlement on Hilo Bay. Origin The name comes from ''wai ākea'' in the Hawaiian Language meaning "broad waters", and sometimes what i ...
, 1983 * ''Reaching for the Sun'', Iao School,
Wailuku, Hawaii Wailuku is a census-designated place (CDP) in and county seat of Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 17,697 at the 2020 census. Wailuku is located just west of Kahului, at the mouth of the Iao Valley. In the early 20th cent ...
, 1981 * ''A Path Through the Trees'',
Maui High School Maui High School is a public high school founded in 1913 in Hamakuapoko, a sugarcane plantation town on the island of Maui in Hawaii. In 1972, the school moved to its new location in Kahului, Hawaii. Old Maui High School The original school was ...
, Kahului, Hawaii, 1977 * ''Trees, Vines, Rocks, and Petroglyphs'', Lanai Community School,
Lanai City, Hawaii Lāna‘i City is a census-designated place (CDP) on the island of Lāna‘i, in Maui County, Hawai‘i, United States. The population was 3,332 at the 2020 census. Lāna‘i City is the island's commercial center. Many of the island's restau ...
, 1976 * ''Boulders, Salt Pond and Taro Fields'', Eleele Elementary School, Eleele, Hawaii, 1989 * ''Aged Tree'', Kauikeaouli Hale,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1976 * Untitled sculpture,
Leilehua High School Leilehua High School is a public, co-educational, college preparatory high school in Wahiawa, Hawaii on the island of Oahu. It is part of the Hawaii State Department of Education, nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the United Stat ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1976 * ''Volcano'', Aloha Stadium,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 1980 *''Growing Out From the Wheel,''
The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...
,
Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, 2006


References

* Abe, Satoru, Sketches 1956-1966 in ''Bamboo Ridge: Journal of Hawai'i Literature and Arts'', Fall 1991, 7-12. * Clarke, Joan and Diane Dods, ''Artists/Hawaii'', Honolulu, University of Hawaii Press, 1996, 2-7. * Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, ''Satoru Abe, A Retrospective 1948-1998'', Honolulu, The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 1998. * Department of Education, State of Hawaii, ''Artists of Hawaii'', Honolulu, Department of Education, State of Hawaii, 1985, pp. 31–38. * Doi, Isami, Excerpts from "Letters to Satoru Abe, 1952-1965" in ''Bamboo Ridge: Journal of Hawai'i Literature and Arts'', Spring 1998, 57-64. * Haar, Francis and Neogy, Prithwish, ''Artists of Hawaii: Nineteen Painters and Sculptors'', University of Hawaii Press, 1974, 19-25. * Hartwell, Patricia L. (editor), ''Retrospective 1967-1987'',
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1965 to "promote, perpetuate, preserve, and encourage culture and the arts, history and the humanities as central to the quality of life of the ...
, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1987, p. 115 * Honolulu Museum of Art, ''Spalding House Self-guided Tour, Sculpture Garden'', 2014, pp. 12 & 15 * International Art Society of Hawai'i, ''Kuilima Kākou, Hawai'i-Japan Joint Exhibition'', Honolulu, International Art Society of Hawai'i, 2004, p. 7 * Morse, Marcia, ''Legacy: Facets of Island Modernism'', Honolulu, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 2001, , pp. 14, 28-33 * Morse, Marcia (ed.), ''Honolulu Printmakers'', Honolulu, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 2003, p. 80, * Morse, Marcia and Allison Wong, ''10 Years: The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center'', The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, 2006, , p. 10 * Radford, Georgia and Warren Radford, ''Sculpture in the Sun, Hawaii's Art for Open Spaces'', University of Hawaii Press, 1978, 91. * Wong, Allison, ''The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center'', The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu HI, 2006, p. 10 * Yoshihara, Lisa A., ''Collective Visions, 1967-1997'',
Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts The Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1965 to "promote, perpetuate, preserve, and encourage culture and the arts, history and the humanities as central to the quality of life of the ...
, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1997, 17.


Footnotes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abe, Satoru 1926 births Living people American male sculptors Modern sculptors American artists of Japanese descent Artists from Honolulu American male painters Sculptors from Hawaii 20th-century American painters 20th-century American sculptors 21st-century American painters 21st-century American sculptors 20th-century American male artists