「7 O’Clock NY」|7 o'clock NY

Nakagawa Mamoru 中川衛

2020 · Cast alloy of copper, silver, and tin with inlays of copper, silver, and gold · Asian Art

Based in Kanazawa, Nakagawa studied the local Kaga inlay technique (originally developed in the seventeenth century) starting in 1974, under the well-known metal artist Takahashi Kaishū (1905–2004). In 2004 Nakagawa was recognized as a Living National Treasure for his mastery of chiseling (chōkin) and metal inlay (zōgan). Over the years he has revitalized and modernized the traditions of the art form. He uses numerous metal types and alloys to create a vibrant, dynamic surface through precisely cut and inlayed segments. The present work was inspired by the skyscrapers and city lights of New York. The front represents the cityscape at 7 a.m., while the back shows the same view at 7 p.m.

Artist

Nakagawa Mamoru 中川衛

Date

2020

Medium

Cast alloy of copper, silver, and tin with inlays of copper, silver, and gold

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Hayashi Kaoru, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2020