Yuriko Yamaguchi (born 1948) is a Japanese-born American contemporary sculptor and printmaker. Using more natural mediums, she creates abstract designs that are used to reflect deeper symbolistic ideas. She currently resides near Washington, D.C..
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Early life and education
Yamaguchi was born in Osaka, Japan in 1948. Unable to speak English, she moved to the United States at the age of twenty-three and used art as an outlet for expression. It was at this time where she began to build sculptures which incorporated multiple mediums, including wood and wire. Such materials were used to symbolize delicacy and simplicity within Japanese culture – a life from which she gained much artistic inspiration.
She attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1974 with a BA degree. She went on to undertake directed study at Princeton University, and completed a Master of Fine Arts at University of Maryland, College Park in 1979.
Career
She was Visiting Assistant Professor at George Washington University in the 2000s.
Over her career, her work had been seen through solo shows and public commissions. In this time, she has presented 50 solo shows, mainly located in Japan, California and Washington DC. A brief volume of work can be seen here through the following:
Museum collections and public art
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Philip Morris Art Collection, New York, N.Y.
National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, MA
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Public art commissions
SRI, Reston, Virginia, 2017
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Rockville, MD, 2015
Washington Dulles International Airport, Station A, “Wonder of Wonders” transferred from Bethesda, 2013
Crowell & Moring, Washington, DC, 2012
Harman Center for the Arts, Shakes Theater, Washington, DC, 2007
Metalwork for South Corridor Light Rail Project, Charlotte, NC, 2007
Wall Mural, consisting 8 patinated bronze form at the New Washington Convention Center, 2003
Wall Mural; 14’x27′ consisting 28 patinated bronze forms at Concourse T, Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia. Commissioned by the City of Atlanta, Department of Aviation, GA, 1999
Wall Mural; 9’x32′ consisting of 41 patinated bronze forms located at 7475 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, Sponsored by JBG Associates, 1998
Solo exhibitions
Addison/Ripley Fine Art, Washington, DC, 2021
Werner Thoni Art Space, Barcelona, Spain, 2017
Asia Society Texas Center, Houston, TX (Apr–Aug), 2016
Figge Art Museum, Davenport, IA, 2015
Adamson Gallery, Washington, DC, (Apr), 2014
Howard Scott Gallery, New York, NY, 2011
Towson University, Asian Gallery, Towson, MD, 2010
Adamson Gallery, Washington, DC, 2009
University of Maryland Gallery, College Park, MD (Sept–Dec), 2007
Numark Gallery, Washington, DC (Nov), 2005
Gallery NAF, Nagoya, Japan (Nov), 2004
Koplin Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (Apr–Junes), 2002
Emon Gallery, Japan (April), 2000
Numark Gallery, Washington, DC, 1999
Emon Gallery, Nagoya, Japan, 1997
Baumgartner Galleries, Inc., Washington, DC, 1993
Inax Gallery, Tokyo, Japan, 1992
Koplin Gallery, Santa Monica, CA, 1991
Penny Campbell, Newport Beach, CA, 1990
Awards and recognition
Yamaguchi has received recognition for her art. Many of her achievements are localized on the eastern coast of the United States or from Japanese organizations. Beginning in the 1980s, she has been awarded in every decade since, even continuing to this day. The following list is a summation of these awards:
Werner Thoni Artspace Artists Residency, Barcelona, Spain, April–June, 2017
Fairfax County Art Council Strauss Individual Grant, 2014
Jentel Artist Residency Award, 2010
Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Artist Residency Award, 2009
Myrthine & Louis Memorial Prize for Installation, the National Academy of Museum, NYC, 2008
Finalist for Kreeger Museum Award, 2008
American Academy of Arts and Letters Award, 2006
Joan Mitchell Foundation Award, 2005
Benesse Award (Japan), 2005
Franz & Virginia Bader Foundation Grant, 2004
Virginia Museum Professional Fellowship, 2001
Virginia Commission of Arts Individual Grant, 2000
Mid Atlantic/National Endowment for the Arts Regional Visual Arts Fellowship, 1995
Virginia Commission of Arts Individual Grant, 1994