Mitsu Konagi
Konagi was born in 1985 in Shizuoka, Japan. He studied architecture at the University of the Ryukyus but relocated to New York after a year, in 2006. In New York, Konagi studied interior design at Nassau Community College. Upon graduation, he joined B&H art-in-architecture, an architectural restoration company. The company mainly deals with historical architecture and sculptures such as New York Public Library, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and other landmark buildings made with stone. Through his exposure to stone carving and historic buildings in and around the city, Konagi became interested in nature, old architecture, and ancient ruins. Kongai treasures the original colors and textures of the materials he works with, such as clay, wood, and stone. Today he works from his studio in Brooklyn.
“I don’t think I am the type to project personal emotions onto my work or make pieces that serve as a vehicle for some kind of message. This might make me sound like I am very removed from or dry about my work, but that is not the case either. I am more interested in expressing shapes and spaces that intuitively make sense or feel honest to me.
My work can be architectural. This is because I pay extra attention to negative space, as well as the shadows and geometric shapes that happen in my work. However, the geometry in my work is never accurate or complete. The shapes only happen because I visualize them through my own filter and make them with human hands. In this way, my work is of an "incomplete" geometry that is at the same time a "complete" expression.
My work is closely related to the relationship between light and shadow. The way light hits an object and makes shadows creates changes in color, or gives movement to a still object; these are the things that intrigue me and inspire my work.”