Photo by GION
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.
【Exhibition】
"Tama" at Yoshii Gallery, NYC in 2021-2022
"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
【Art Work】
"Butterfly" at THE SHINMONZEN in Kyoto
【Events】
"RESTORATION: THREAD & GOLD”
at Yale New Haven Health Greenwich Hospital in 2022
Kintsugi session at Chloé in 2022 Fashion week
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
【Articles & Videos】
NOBU HOTELS MAGAZINE 1st Issue in 2022
Yale New Haven Health Greenwich Hospital in 2022
Brut. in 2020 (French version is here)
Artsy in 2018
GEAR PATROL in 2016
Made in NY in 2016
【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
2013 2012
2009
2006-2008
2002-2005
2002
1998
1980
Restored Takamadonomiya Imperial Collection
Moved to New York
Began restoration career
Studied maki-e technique under Akira Takeda (maki-e master) in Kyoto
Studied lacquer restoration under Tomizo (Lacquer artist and also his father)
Studied at Tokai University in Japan, majoring in art design
Graduated from the high school of Art in Kyoto, Japan, majoring in Urushi (lacquer) Arts
Born in Vienna, Austria