The Portland Japanese Garden is proud to present a special exhibition by internationally recognized stone and metal sculptor Michihiro Kosuge from February 9-24, 2008. This exhibition launches the first of the new Art in the Garden Series of four exhibitions throughout the year in celebration of the four seasons.

Successfully bridging East and West, Kosuge has been a prominent sculptor on the West Coast scene since he received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1970. He is noted for the many commissioned works of outdoor public art at sites throughout the region, and his work has been shown in over 100 exhibitions over his accomplished career.

As former Chairman of the Department of Art at Portland State University, Professor Kosuge has had major impact on more than one generation of young artists in the region, bringing a broad international perspective to both his teaching and his art. The work in this exhibition speaks eloquently of his interest in the nature and use of materials and surface, transforming the natural qualities of metal and stone (primarily Columbia River basalt and red granite from Oregon, Washington, and California) with the carefully considered touch of the stonecutter's tools.

"The connection between the Portland Japanese Garden and Kosuge's work is apparent in the deep appreciation for the natural qualities of stone," says Diane Durston, the Garden's Curator of Culture, Art, and Education. "Kosuge's work not only bridges East and West but challenges the boundaries of easy definition in either tradition. His work embraces nature and acknowledges the subtle touch of humanity, reflecting the aesthetic of the Japanese Garden itself." The Kosuge Exhibition runs from Saturday, February 9-24, 2008 from 10am-4pm Tuesday-Sunday (Noon-4pm on Mondays). The artist will be on hand for gallery talks on specific days-check www.japanesegarden.com for dates and times.

Additional seasonal exhibitions in the Art in the Garden Series include the (Spring) Ceramic Art from the North: An Exhibition of the Hokkaido Potters Society (April 12-20), (Summer) Glass Art: Japan and the U.S. (June 13-30), and (Fall) Bamboo Art by Jiro Yonezawa (November 15-30). All Art in the Garden exhibitions are free with Garden admission.

The Portland Japanese Garden has been proclaimed by his Excellency Nobuo Matsunaga, former Ambassador of Japan, to be "the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan." The Garden is above Washington Park at 611 SW Kingston Drive in SW Portland, Oregon. The Garden is open daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kerry Cobb, Director of Marketing & Communications
The Japanese Garden of Portland, Oregon
503-328-0050
kcobb@japanesegarden.com