Kumi Sugaï 'Oni' big color lithograph numbered 30/50 and signed by the Artist

Kumi Sugaï "Oni (Blue)" 1985 – signed limited edition color lithograph 30/50, original Japanese frame, Japanese abstract art

Kumi Sugaï, "Oni (Blue)" (鬼 青), 1985. Original color lithograph, numbered 30/50 and signed "Sugaï" in pencil, printed in Japan and presented in its original Japanese natural wood frame with a white mount.

Late Sugaï at its most expressive. A grainy, crayon-like frame in mint green and cobalt blue holds a stack of simple forms (square, circle and triangle) laid over soft, airbrushed black clouds and white wave patterns. The hard edges of his 1960s work have given way to a textured, hand-drawn line, and the tension between solid geometry and soft atmosphere gives the print its energy.

The back of the frame carries the original gallery label of Gallery Garando, Nagoya, with the title 鬼〈青〉, the date 1985, the medium (color lithograph), the edition 30/50 and the artist's name in Japanese. The print is ready to hang.

Dimensions (framed): H 92.5 x W 71 x D 2.5 cm (H 36.4 x W 28 x D 1 in)

The meaning of Oni

In Japanese folklore an oni (鬼) is an ogre or demon, usually pictured with horns, fangs and an iron club. Oni stand for misfortune, illness and the wild forces of nature, but they are also protectors. Their faces appear on roof tiles to ward off evil, and at the Setsubun festival people throw beans to drive them out ("Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi", meaning "demons out, good fortune in"). Sugaï's Oni works are abstract rather than literal. They turn this ambiguous figure of fear and protection into a graphic sign, so the demon becomes a symbol of the hidden energy behind the image.

About the artist

Kumi Sugaï (1919 Kobe – 1996 Tokyo) is one of the best-known Japanese artists of the postwar School of Paris. He trained in Osaka and moved to Paris in 1952, where he first worked in the gestural Art Informel manner. From the late 1950s he developed a signature language of bold flat color, strong contours and simplified signs inspired by Japanese family crests (mon), calligraphy, road signs and neon. This language places him near hard-edge abstraction and Op Art. He exhibited at international biennials, including Venice and São Paulo, and his work is held in museum collections in Europe and Japan. In the 1980s, with the Oni series, his style became more painterly and textured and drew more openly on Japanese tradition.

Why collect it

Signed and numbered limited edition from a major Japanese-French modern artist

Rare late-period Oni theme with a rich cultural meaning

Original Japanese frame and period gallery label add provenance

Works well with Japanese minimalism, mid-century modern, Brutalist and contemporary interiors

Details
Creator: Kumi Sugaï (菅井汲) | Title: Oni (Blue) / 鬼〈青〉 | Year: 1985 | Medium: color lithograph on paper | Edition: 30/50, pencil-signed | Origin: printed in Japan | Provenance label: Gallery Garando, Nagoya | Style: Japanese modern art, abstraction, School of Paris | Frame: original Japanese natural wood frame

Keywords: Kumi Sugai, Sugaï, 菅井汲, Sugai Oni, Oni lithograph, Japanese demon art, 鬼, Japanese ogre print, Sugai color lithograph, signed limited edition lithograph, Japanese modern art, Japanese abstract art, School of Paris artist, 1980s Japanese print, framed Japanese art, Gallery Garando Nagoya, Japanese wall art, Scandinavian-Japanese interior art

We have two prints available both in excellent condition. One without frame for Euro 3.250 and the other one framed for Euro 3.450.

The framed print will be shipped insured overseas in a custom made wooden case. Cost of shipping to the US, Euro 225, is case included.

We ship worldwide. Request a shipping quote by e-mail to tacojoustra@vintageobjects.com mentioning the piece you are interested in.

Pick-up by appointment only.

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Kumi Sugaï (1919–1996): A Brief Biography

Kumi Sugaï was a Japanese-French artist known for his innovative approach to abstract art, blending elements of traditional Japanese calligraphy with modern abstraction. He was born on January 3, 1919, in Kobe, Japan, and began his artistic career in the 1930s. In the 1950s, Sugaï moved to France, where he became associated with the art movement known as "Abstraction Lyrique" or "Lyrical Abstraction." His works during this period often featured bold brushstrokes, dynamic compositions, and a sense of spontaneity. Sugaï's art was influenced by his Japanese heritage, particularly the principles of Zen Buddhism and calligraphy. He sought to capture the essence of nature and the human spirit through his abstract forms, imbuing his works with a sense of rhythm and harmony. Throughout his career, Sugaï gained recognition both in France and internationally for his distinctive style.

He participated in numerous exhibitions and received several awards for his contributions to the art world.
Notable Museums Exhibiting or Owning Kumi Sugaï's Work: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City, USA: MoMA has featured Sugaï's works in various exhibitions, showcasing his contributions to modern art. Centre Pompidou, Paris, France: The Centre Pompidou houses a significant collection of modern and contemporary art, including pieces by Kumi Sugaï. National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan: As one of Japan's premier art institutions, the National Museum of Modern Art has exhibited Sugaï's artworks and recognizes his importance in Japanese art history. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, USA: The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has exhibited Sugaï's works as part of its diverse collection of international art. Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, Japan: This museum focuses on contemporary Japanese art and has featured exhibitions highlighting Sugaï's contributions to the art world.

These are just a few examples of museums that have exhibited or own Kumi Sugaï's work. His art continues to be celebrated for its unique fusion of Eastern and Western influences, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of abstract art.