HISAO DOMOTO 1928-2013

Born into a family of artists and art collectors, Hisao Domoto studied traditional Japanese painting at Kyoto University. In 1952, he made a trip to Europe where he discovered Western art, which led him to break with his initial training and become closer to modern artists.

In 1955, he settled in the studio of Henri Goetz, where he met Sam Francis, Jean Paul Riopelle, Pierre Soulages and Zao Wou-Ki. He then began to work on a thick, informal abstract painting dominated by large touches of color and turbulence-shaped structures. In the late 1950s, Domoto met the French art critic Michel Tapié, who introduced him to the Gutai movement, of which he became one of the main representatives.

Ten years later, he abandoned the informal movement and his work evolved into new forms of expression. His brushstrokes became more peaceful and turned into geometric shapes giving the illusion of entering a cosmic dimension. In the early years of the 21st century, Domoto worked on more experimental paintings with spherical shapes and light colors.

Domoto has exhibited around the world, including Japan, France, Germany, and the United States. He has also received numerous prestigious awards such as the Grand Prix of the São Paulo Biennial in 1965 and was decorated with the Order of Japanese Culture in 1999 for his contributions to art.