Naoki Kusumi was born in Awaji Island, Hyogo in 1972. He is the third generation of a traditional plaster artisan family and held a trowel for the first time at age three. In the summer of his third year of high school on the recommendation of his father that he "go see the world", Kusumi traveled to Europe. In Spain he was impressed by the architecture of Antoni Gaudi and decided to master the art of plastering. After returning to Japan, at the age of 18 he began his training in earnest with various master plasterers.
He established Sakan Co., Ltd. in 1995 at the age of 23.
Kusumi has experienced in Japan and overseas as a plasterer who can restore buildings with high historical value such as important cultural properties. In addition to repairing and restoring traditional buildings, he often works on the interiors and exteriors of commercial facilities, educational facilities, and private residences.
He often participates from the planning stage at the sites and actively makes design proposals. His traditional plastering techniques and original ideas have led to great appreciation both in Japan and abroad. In addition to his regular work, Kusumi holds workshops and lectures in Japan and overseas to teach Japanese plastering techniques.
In recent years, he has created art works with original designs born from the aesthetics of nature that are realized with unparalleled skill. At the Reborn-Art Festival held in Miyagi Prefecture this summer, he presented a huge installation called "Bubble". This work has a strong presence that leaves a great impact on the viewers. It also attracted a great deal of attention as it was exhibited in the same area as Yayoi Kusama.
In this exhibition, Kusumi will present framed works expressed using plastering materials and trowels. This is the first exhibition where so many works will be presented at the same time and the perfect opportunity to fully enjoy the overflowing originality and unparalleled skill of Naoki Kusumi.