George Tsutakawa
One of the leading Northwest artists of his generation, George Tsutakawa (1910–97) is internationally known for his sculpture and fountain designs. However, a lesser-known aspect of his career was the production of blockprints, watercolors, and works on paper that began in the 1920s and continued throughout his career.
Born in Seattle and educated in Japan, Tsutakawa had early success while still in high school. He attended the University of Washington, where he received an MFA in sculpture in 1950, and became an influential instructor at the university's School of Art from 1947 to 1976.
Drawn from the Tsutakawa estate, most of the works shown here have never been seen previously by the public. These early works display concepts and inspirations that would inform Tsutakawa's aesthetic throughout a long and distinguished career. Contextual works by Tsutakawa's instructors and contemporaries provides a broader understanding of his oeuvre.
Exhibition dates: Cascadia Art Museum, December 1, 2022–March 26, 2023
David F. Martin is curator for Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds, Washington, and author of numerous Northwest art history publications. These include Invocation of Beauty: The Life and Photography of Soichi Sunami, The Lavender Palette: Gay Culture and the Art of Washington State, and Shadows of a Fleeting World: Pictorial Photography and the Seattle Camera Club.