Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Michihiro Kosuge. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Celebration, 2006

Michihiro Kosuge
Japanese (born 1943, died 2021)

Location: Highline College, Des Moines

About the Artwork

Michihiro Kosuge's granite gathering place Celebration is a symbol of the dedication and joy that comes from the community of students and faculty at Highline College in Western Washington. The sculptures represent stacked books and celebrate teaching, learning, and helping – activities that are the foundations of Highline College. Kosuge notes, "I hope that people will gather around the sculpture, sitting, talking, or walking by, and that it will offer them a space in which they can pause to appreciate and enjoy their role in the vibrant community of the college."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Highline College.

About the Artist

Artist and teacher Michihiro Kosuge (1943-2021) was known in the Northwest for his sculptures and public installations made with stone. His art explored the interaction of humans with nature and respected the natural world. He noted, "I never thought that I was a patient person... [working with] stone helped make me be patient."
Kosuge was born in Tokyo, Japan and studied sculpture at Tokyo Sumida Technical School of Architecture. At age 21, he came to the U.S. to study architecture. He explains that, "After taking several art courses to better understand shape and form, I found that making sculpture was a much better way to express my ideas and my way of thinking." Kosuge earned his Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1970. He taught at Portland State University from 1978 until his retirement in 2003.