Eiji Sumi (隅 英二）(born 1970) is a Japanese artist based in Bangkok, Thailand since 2012. Born in Tokyo, he lived New York from 1993 to 2012. He is most widely known for his installation art projects, such as Densen/Plus "a mixed-media exhibition that aimed to raise awareness of the need to put power cables underground,[1][2] and QUARK, a science art project inspired by the way highly reflective powder material looks when caught in light that visualize aero dynamics and fluid dynamics and was described as "mesmerizing" and "enchanting" by the Bangkok Post.[3] His polycarbonate origami sculpture, Sinusold, was a finalist in The Sovereign Asian Art Prize for 2016.[4]
Eiji Sumi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 (age 53–54) Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Education | Rikkyo University |
| Known for | Installation art, Multi-media art, Sculpture, Graphic Design |
| Website | http://www.eijisumi.com/ |
He has held numerous exhibitions internationally, and has been curated by Eric Shiner, Vice President at Sotheby's New York and previously director of the Andy Warhol Museum, and Helen Wu, the producer and co-curator of Paper Rain Parade seen in Art Basel Hong Kong.[5][6]
In addition to his art works he also is a full-time lecturer in the Communication Design program at Chulalongkorn University.[7]
Background
editEiji was born in Tokyo. After moving to New York City in 1993 he transformed his career in fine art to include design, multimedia and installation. While there he gained attention for a variety of project and worked as an artist assistant to Italian master painter Stefano Castronovo.[5]
Inspiration and style
editHis varied works have been described to "often feature elaborate structures and new spatial experiences, using light as his principal medium."[3] He has named Joseph Beuys, James Turrell and Eva Hesse among the artists that inspire him.[1]
Body of work
editLand[e]scape Exhibition
editIn 2007, he participated in the Land[e]scape Exhibition at the Onishi Gallery in New York City curated by Eric C. Shiner (then director of the Andy Warhol Gallery). The work he exhibited consisted of “incredibly complex scenes of actual places he has visited in cities around the world, including New York and Amsterdam, in one long connected line, an effect that gives the images a tension-ridden feeling of instability in excess”.[8]
Cocoon
editIn 2013, Eiji Sumi participated in the Art on Farm series by the Jim Thompson Farm. His work Cocoon was a giant Cocoon, using recycle material of silk floss, and textile and bamboo. The public could enter Cocoon and it was intended to "express the feelings and sensations that human beings would have, if they were smaller than silkworms..." hoping to help "...people to appreciate the things that we have in our life that we do not usually think of or imagine where they come from".[9]
QUARK
editHis installation QUARK, was a site specific work displayed at H Project Space at H Gallery Bangkok and was named after the subatomic particle with the same name.[10]
Under construction
editIn 2013, Eiji held an exhibition called Under Construction at WTF Gallery. It was a mixed-media exhibition inspired by his fascination with construction sites. His aim in the exhibition was described as attempting to "evoke a sensation that sways between gritty dystopia and avant-garde development",[11] and was described as transporting "viewers into a scene hovering between progressive expansion and dystopian decay".[6][12]
References
edit- ^ a b "The cable guy : Eiji Sumi creates art based on unsightly power-pole wires". Bangkok Post.
- ^ "An artistic view of electric wires". Spoon-tamago.com. 27 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Into the Cosmos : Eiji Sumi's Quark installation provides an illuminating interpretation of particles of matter". Bangkok Post.
- ^ "First Look at the Sovereign Asian Art Prize 2016 Finalists | Hong Kong Tatler". Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ a b "EIJI SUMI — Input / Output". Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ a b "WTF Bangkok » Under Construction". Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "Teaching Team | Communication Design Faculty of Chulalongkorn University". Archived from the original on 1 January 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
- ^ "Immersive Cocoon "2011″". Artect.net. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ "Special Events". Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "A gritty avant-garde art exhibit to open at WTF". Coconuts.co. 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Eat Me". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 10 November 2021.