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.

Linkage #2, 2004

Michihiro Kosuge
(Japanese, born 1943, died 2021)

Location: Highline College, Des Moines

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

This stone sculpture is part of artist Michihiro Kosuge's series of five pillars titled 'Linkage', which border the student plaza at Highline College. Inspired by the diverse and dynamic population of students at Highline College, the artist created each pillar to represent one of the major continents. Linkage #2 features two rings, with green granite representing Asia. He notes "I wanted to include in the design the strong relationship that exists between international students, immigrant students and international relations with other college in the world...All the rings together represent knowledge, wisdom, imagination, inquiry, and discovery."

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