Today we’d like to introduce you to Suguru Hiraide.
Suguru, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born and raised in Nagano prefecture in Japan. My father is a retired architect and engineer. He used to run a local construction company with my mother. My parents wanted my brother and / or me to succeed their business or at least have a steady job. However, after I graduated from high school, I went to Tokyo to explore what I really wanted to do. I lived there for a little over 4 years and started to realize that I wanted to work in art and design field. Also, as a 6’ 3” tall person and for my outgoing personality, I felt cramped and constrained in the city in Japan. So, when I saw a newspaper advertisement about a study abroad agency, I eagerly visited the office in Tokyo.
I took 5 months of intensive English classes, and the agency recommended me to West Virginia University, where I then majored in graphic design. When I took a sculpture class as a studio elective course, I loved working with sculptural materials and making 3-D objects. I continued taking sculpture courses at WVU and earned my BFA in graphic design and sculpture, receiving the most outstanding graduating senior student award in arts. After that, I pursued sculpture at California State University, Fullerton, and received my MFA. My first job after graduate school was an administrative assistant at the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, I applied for teaching jobs, and MSU Texas offered me a full-time sculpture and metals teaching position. I accepted the job and came to Texas.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make sculptures that usually consist of different types of fabricated metals such as aluminum and stainless steel. I also incorporate cast bronze, rubber, and resins that I use for figurative and organic forms. In addition to these materials, I often utilize kinetic techniques that are electrical and mechanical. Inspiration for my work comes from both objects and subjects such as figures, icons, products, customs, social issues, and more. Since I have lived in Japan and the United States and traveled overseas for exhibitions, I have learned various unique cultural aspects and social customs. I also realize the importance of communication and knowledge. Through my work, I intend for the viewers to recognize their unawareness towards other cultures and customs as well as their own.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I strive to create my work until I feel there is nothing more that needs to be done in the work, or there is nothing more to improve. However, it is actually very rare or almost never happens to me! In terms of creating my work, I have never been 100% satisfied (maybe 99% was the highest), but I continue to push myself as an artist and educator.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Two small sculptures will be exhibited in the show, “Heat Wave” from July 27 to 29, 2018 at Cindy Lisica Gallery http://cindylisicagallery.com in Houston. I am going to visit Japan to participate the group exhibition, “Reunion– 5TH Crosscurrent exhibition U.S–Japan” from January 20 – 26, 2019 at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. I will also exhibit two sculptures in the art faculty exhibition at MSU Texas in Wichita Falls from January 25 –March 1, 2019.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.suguruhiraide.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suguru.hiraide
Image Credit:
Yasuyo Maruyama Suguru Hiraide
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