About

The organic and flowing forms in Ken Sugimoto’s metal art may appear minimal at first, but they are actually composed of continuous, interconnected curves forming a complex structure.

These kinds of intricate, flowing forms can also be found naturally in all living organisms on Earth. The shapes of living things were not created for the sake of beauty, but developed through evolution in pursuit of function. Nevertheless, people have long perceived beauty in them. He seeks to reexamine this unconscious beauty, extract its essence, and reconstruct it in his work based on the principles of balance and tension. “Balance” and “tension” are essential components of his sculptures.

By repeatedly heating and hammering stainless steel or carbon steel, he gradually shapes the material, much like the way life evolves over time. Then, through repeated sanding and polishing, he creates a glossy surface that enhances the form’s inherent dynamism and tension.

Among the materials he uses, mild carbon steel is softer than stainless steel, allowing him to express more dynamic, organic, and gentle curves. For him, it is the most suitable material to realize the beautiful forms he envisions, which is why he prefers it for his sculptural work.

Furthermore,  works made with mild carbon steel can maintain their luster through regular polishing. Sugimoto hopes that, beyond visual appreciation, owners will also find joy in polishing the pieces themselves, experiencing the feel of the curves through touch.

A visual experience through the changing light, shadow, and reflections, shaped by time, placement, and surroundings.
A tactile experience through the owner's interaction with the curves of the piece.
He hopes his metal art can be appreciated through both experiences.

In addition, his work features contrasts such as organic forms combined with inorganic structures, or inorganic materials like steel shaped into organic forms contrasted with organic materials like wood formed into geometric shapes. These expressions reflect the coexistence and integration of his long career as an industrial designer and the liberating, intuitive approach he discovered through metal art.

Ken Sugimoto was born and raised in Japan and studied design in Tokyo. After moving to the United States in 2005, he continued to work as a product designer for over 25 years in both Japan and the US. A chance encounter with metalworking deeply inspired him, and he gradually transitioned into the field of metal art. He now focuses on creating metalwork in his own studio, exploring the possibilities of form and continuing to create each day.