From Redbud Gallery:

"Redbud Arts Center is excited to present Suguru Hiraide with his show titled " Beckoning Neko and Bowing Birdman ". Suguru who was born and raised in Japan, presents east meets west with the maneki cat which is inspired by a Japanese figurine called Maneki Neko and means "beckoning cat", an ojigi (bowing) cowboy, and a smoker grill sushi boat amongst other Japanese symbols he intermixes with western ones. We invite you to join us for the opening.

Free and open to the public.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Living and working in both Japan and the United States has allowed me to experience and learn the two countries’ cultural and social comparisons and contrasts. Some incidents have been thoroughly intriguing while others were truly frustrating; however, as an artist, I see it as an advantage to have firsthand experiences because they have frequently given me inspiration for my work. I have used both objects and subjects such as figures, products, cultural traditions, and social customs as contexts and references for my sculpture. Through my work, I intend for the viewers to recognize their awareness and different perspectives of other cultures and customs, as well as their own.  This exhibition titled “Beckoning Neko and Bowing Birdman'' includes some of my works from the last ten years."