Tetsuo Harada

was a Japanese-French artist based in France, well known for his monumental direct carving sculptures on granite and marble. In the 1990s he came to much recognition with his "Earth Weaving" theme, binding nations in fraternity with granite rings. 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 studied at Tamabi University[http://www.tamabi.ac.jp/english/about/history.htm] Tokyo with Professor Tatehata, Beaux-arts de Paris with Professor Colamarigny, Jean Cardot :fr:Jean Cardot. 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. He produced quantities of sketches, drawings and paintings, as finished art piece or researches for future sculptures. In late years his work was promoted actively by his wife Annie Harada and his second son Cesar Minoru Harada, now student at the Royal College of Art. His first son Narito Harada is a lawyer specialized in Environment working for NGO like Greenpeace. Tetsuo Harada taught fine art and urban design at the National Superior Architecture School of Versailles (ENSAV), from which for 30 years he was establishing educational programs and cultural bridges between Asian Universities and European Universities. Provided by Wikipedia