Tetsuo Harada
He explored a wide universe of materials (wood, metal, bronze, resin, glass) and shapes but the themes of pacifism, Nature (earth), sexuality and fertility remain prevalent (some advocate his shinto influences).
His sculptures can be seen around the world in private collections, museums and the streets as monumental public works, or ephemeral Land-art installations.
His work is often linked to that of Isamu Noguchi, Constantin Brâncuși, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore or the biomorphic aesthetic movement in general.
He lived and worked mostly in Paris, France, and carved granite in his large studio in Fresnay l'Eveque near Chartres in the Beauce area, Eure et Loir region.
After the Second World War Harada was born in a small village called Niitsu surrounded by rice fields (now turned into the actual city of Niigata).
Well involved in Art, "Tetsuo" means Philosopher, studies music like jazz, songs, learn guitar by himself and sing in a group of friends, interpreting the Beatles.
Studies Tetsuo Harada's work is often compared to that of Constantin Brâncuși, Isamu Noguchi, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore.
Teaching: Tetsuo Harada studied in high school to "Niitsu Koko", he learned drawing with his professor Nitta Sensei.
He graduated from Tokyo Tamabi Fine Arts University where he received academic training in sculpture (art history, drawing, modeling, pattern, pottery, casting, curving wood, granite, marble...) In 1969, he participated at a symposium on wood sculpture near Tazawako Lake, Akita, Japan, organized by sculptors Watanabe and Koyanagi.
He is the winner of the third prize of the "Kodo Bijutsu Kyokai" with "Work 71" 180 x 170 x 100, in black granite (Takahashi collection in Sado Island).
He studied at "Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts de Paris, direct carving at atelier Colamarigny and Jean Cardot.
[1] During the summer 1974, Tetsuo Harada took part in a symposium organized by the gallery Monika Beck for the city of Homburg, Saarland Germany.
It is his first monumental sculpture in Europe, an ode to Peace, in reaction to the Berlin Wall, separating East and West Germany.
Tramullas' father was a painter and his family suffered in Francoist Spain: Pedro organised in 1975 the first international symposium of sculpture in Siresa-Hecho.
Out of 77 international participants, Harada won and carved two columns of Breton blue granite H450cm, firmly erected symbolizing the two victorious World Wars.
Harada declines this theme at various levels : A long list of countries attest to this cosmopolitism : Japan, the United States, India, France, Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy, Thailand, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel, ... but also, among hundreds, regions and landscapes : Tuscany, Brittany, the Ardennes, the Beauce... or cities : Paris, New-York, Tokyo, Kyoto, Firense, Pietrasanta, Niigata, Lisbon, Athens, Leiden...
In 1991 the Alberville city – Savoie – France has organized an international competition, Tetsuo Harada won facing 46 candidates.
The international event translated by a large globe based on a pyramid form divine, also exploit the fruit of men.
The 38th Parallel walks through: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, China, Korea, Japan, California, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia.
From this human and geographical development, from his own family, beautifully mix-raced, from his itinerary made of teaching and sharing, Harada builds up the arguments of an initiatory route : -a life and a work of art like a metaphor in progress, convening in curious alchemy the union of art and the forms of union, -a path of sympathy with the world and the things as well as the beings, that probably is ' environment-art '.
Though this path undeniably and essentially belongs to sculpture, it carries along close ties with landscape art, architecture and urbanism.
Fountain For the sculpture I wanted to make something welcoming, a place where the kids would play and an art piece that adults could easily INTEGRATE in their environment.
I mixed grey granite from the Tarn and some pink "de la clarte", which blends the sculpture with its context by reference to a typical architectural pattern of Sainte Memehould : diagonal lines of brick and limestone.In 1986 he realizes a Fountain placed in the quartier des Vertes Voyes in Sainte Menehould, Champagne, France.
But to try and feel Harada's personality, as well as the two hundred tons of granite of Tazawako, one would eventually have to mention all the people that approached him, or followed him in his teaching or in the adventure of the construction of his atelier in Frenay-l'Evêque.
With its waves, roots, links, rocks, sun, it stands in harmony with the dam, the mountain of Tazawako city and Komagatake volcano.
Whether it be through his big environment-sculptures or through smaller pieces, Harada's artwork involves the public and invites it to participate in more intimate encounters.
Away from public spaces, in the intimacy of his studio, Harada draws, shapes, curves, models and molds small dimension works.
