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Sculpture: Carving in Stone and Wood
ãThe diversity of expression in art today is partly a result of new technology. In
the sculpture classes, for example, we now have a pneumatic tool system, which is aiding
students with additional power. However, the traditional method of carving remains the
foundation and is most important. Since I have joined the Art Students League as an
instructor, I have met marvelous students from whom I have learned.ä
Mr. Saito was born in Utsunomiya, Japan. He received his B.F.A. studying
drawing, clay modeling and wood carving with spirited sculptor, Professor Tsuruzo Ishii,
at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. His M.F.A. with a
concentration in stone carving was also done at the University. Mr. Saitoâs superb
technical training in both hand and machine carving techniques is based upon study with
esteemed instructor Kametaro Akashi. Later, Mr. Saito came to the United States and
received a scholarship to study at the Brooklyn Museum Art School. He also studied
techniques of granite carving with master stonecarver, Odilio Beggi. Mr. Beggi
encouraged him to create his Mother and Child in one-ton Vermont granite. He then
directly carved it in three-ton Rourentian red granite from Canada, taking nineteen years.
Mr. Saitoâs work has ranged in style from abstract to realistic, in stone, wood and
bronze. His early training of carving precise spheres and cubes developed skills used in
carving for his lyrical and sensual stone female nudes.
The artist has exhibited widely for
forty years. His works are in public, private and corporate collections internationally.
Five of his works are in the Pepsi Company Inc. collection in Purchase, New York. Mr.
Saito has received numerous awards for his work, including a major purchase prize at the
First Kotaro Takamura Grand Prize Exhibition at the Hakone Open-Air Museum in
Japan. He has been elected as a fellow of the National Sculpture Society while receiving
four awards from them and major awards from the National Academy of Design. He
maintains both carving and clay modelling studios in his Brooklyn loft building.
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