Isamu Wakabayashi

Isamu Wakabayashi was born in Machida-machi, Tokyo-fu in 1936 and graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts (Department of Sculpture) of Tokyo University of the Arts in 1959. In 1975, he became an associate professor at the Musashino Art University Sculpture Laboratory Open to All Majors, and in 1980 he became a professor, retiring in 1984. Using iron as his main material, he led post-war Japanese contemporary sculpture with his unique views on sculpture based on exhaustive observation and reflection, and sculptural works which contained thoughts on the relationship between himself and the world around him. He has held numerous solo exhibitions, exhibiting at The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama in 1973, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo in 1987, the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art in 2002, and more. During the 1980s, he exhibited twice at the Japan Pavilion of the Venice Biennale, and held solo exhibitions overseas, earning him high praise both domestically and abroad. Even following his death in 2003, solo exhibitions have been held in various places, and Wakabayashi’s views on sculpture still fascinate people and leave a vivid impression.