Toru Kurokawa

Born 1984 in Kyoto, Japan

As an undergraduate Toru Kurokawa first studied sculpture before focusing on ceramics, which in turn led him to further study in Masters degree course in Kyoto City University of Arts, where he remains a teacher. Early on, Kurokawa won the important Chōza Grand Prix in 2007 for his large mesh-patterned work inspired by blue coral.

In recent years, he has worked on art in public spaces such as The Thousand Kyoto and Cross Hotel Kyoto, and was awarded the Rising Talent Award Craft in Paris, France in 2022.

Kurokawa’s work transcends simple aesthetics to invite a spiritual connection with nature. Living in the  mountains close to Kyoto, surrounded by the majesty of nature, his passion for horticulture and exploration of life in this magical environment is reflected in every piece he creates. It is this environment that inspires him to capture the essence of nature, offering through his sculptures a celebration of its untamed beauty.

In addition to his deep connection to the natural world, Kurokawa finds in mathematics a source of inspiration that nurtures his search for elegant and refined forms. This fusion of art and science endows his work with an additional dimension, where the beauty of mathematical concepts is materialised in ceramic forms that challenge our perception.

His works are in the collection of the following institutions:

Victoria and Albert Museum, UK

LosAngeles County Museum of Art, USA

San Francisco Asian Art Museum, USA

Allen Memorial Art Museum, USA

Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, Japan