Jin Morigami (born in 1955)

Born into a family of weavers, Morigami is one of the most talented creators among the young generation of bamboo artists. After completing his training, he created his studio and even employed several young assistants to help him fill the many orders he received for his delicate works, thus introducing a new style of bamboo sculpture to Oita.

As a young artist, he submitted his work to the Nitten, the Japan Fine Arts Association, and was accepted without being required to pass through the intermediate stages. However, the resentment this caused among more experienced artists contributed to his decision to end his involvement in the Japanese public exhibition system for many years.

Recognition of his work by American collectors and museums breathed new life into his career. In 2004, he was a finalist in the prestigious Cotsen Bamboo Prize competition. Since then, the artist has enjoyed renewed success, especially recently at the Musée du Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac in Paris, where he was acclaimed for his pieces in the Fendre l'Air, Art of Bamboo in Japan exhibition.

Morigami's works are part of many American and European public and private collections.