Japanese Lacquer Restorer and Artist

Gen Saratani

更谷 源　／　蒔絵師

Biography

Gen Saratani is a New York-based artist who works exclusively with the organic materials found in the traditional fine arts of Japan. Following high school and college studies in the arts in Japan, where he grew up, he served a three-year apprenticeship with his father, Tomizo, a lacquer artist, and a two-year apprenticeship in the study of maki-e under Akira Takeda in Kyoto. In addition to his own work as an artist, he has conserved thousands of works of art and lectured, led workshops, or given demonstrations on working with lacquer or conservation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Art and Design, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Parsons School of Design, and numerous other organizations.
He currently lives and works in New York as only Urushi master in the country.
 

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【Exhibition】        

"Food" at Yoshii Gallery, NYC in 2019 - 2020

"Maki-e Sculpture" at Yoshii Gallery, NYC in 2019   

"The Authentics of Restoration" at Sara Japanese Pottery, NYC in 2014

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【Events】

Maki-e lecture and workshop at The Nippon Club in 2018

Open studio at MAD museum of arts and design in 2016

【Lectures】

Persons Fashion, Art and Design School in 2020, 2018, 2017, 2015

Smith College Museum of Art in 2017

NYU students studio visit in 2016

Diverse Techniques of Asian Arts and Crafts of FIT in 2016

Sogetsu New York in 2016

Urasenke Chanoyu Center of New York in 2014

Chado Urasenke Tankokai Philadelphia Association in 2014

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【Articles & Videos】​

Brut.  in 2020   (French version is here)

Artsy  in 2018

GEAR PATROL in 2016

Made in NY in 2016

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【Kintsugi classes】

The classes are held Online constantly (See Kintsugi Class)

Makari in 2017

Atelier Mu:min in 2015, 2016

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2014

Keisuian in 2014

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2013            2012            

2009           

2006-2008

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2002-2005

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2002

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1998           

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1980              

Restored Takamadonomiya imperial collection

Moved to New York

Began restoration career

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Studied maki-e technique under Akira Takeda (maki-e master) in Kyoto

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Studied lacquer restoration under Tomizo (Lacquer artist and also his father)

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Studied at Tokai University in Japan, majoring in art design

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Graduated from the high school of Art in Kyoto, Japan, majoring in Urushi (lacquer) Arts

Born in Vienna, Austria