HIROSHI SHAFER

ARTIST STATEMENT:

There is something simple about subverting the fork or spoon. These are two common objects in the world. Utilitarian and standardized. In keeping within these two templates there is a whole world of possibility in their manipulation. The sculptures are nonfunctional and delicate. There is a twist and pull to them. Outside of their magic, the impulse to touch is great as we are so used to these tactile objects in our daily life. However, the way they are stretched, shaped, or warped hinders my ability to touch them. They stand alone in their hubris. So much so that they carry each other’s weight or are inserted in the tips of their larger form. There is a crudeness about these works even with their polished refinement. There are stories that I want to tell through a fork or spoon.

BIO:

Hiroshi holds a BFA from Tokyo Zoukei Art University in Tokyo Japan and moved to New York in 1997, he lives and works in Harlem.

The artist has had solo shows in New York and Japan. His recent solo shows include the Hakusen Gallery Tokyo, 2021, Parallel Performance Space Brooklyn NY 2019, and Maishoku gallery Awaji-shima Japan 2020. Recent group shows include The Other Art Fair Brooklyn 2020, Tomato Mouse Brooklyn 2021, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft TX 2022, nstaselect-v.-2 MarkborghiI SAG HARBOR NY 2022, Spring Break art fair (Tomato Mouse Brooklyn both) 2022, house.ny Brooklyn 2023.

Awards include, Makers fair Queens NY 2015 editor's award, The Curators (Contemporary art gallery) The Mask project 3rd prize 2020, and The Artists Forum Festival of the Moving Image:  Music Video nomination 2020.