Tadashi Sato

Tadashi Sato, born in 1923 and raised in Lahaina Maui, is often noted for having been a part of the Abstract Expressionist movement that was blooming in NY in the 1950's. While, as a young man, he did occasionally rub elbows with notable artists and celebrities of the day, that was not his main concern. He was on his own journey - an artist in search of himself. Although influenced by some of his university mentors and artistic contemporaries, he has ultimately found his most long-standing inspiration from what began with childhood lessons in Japanese Sumi Ink and Calligraphy at Lahainaluna School. Years later he traveled to Japan to continue his study in this graceful artform.

Tadashi Sato was a struggling artist working as a security guard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, when actors Charles Laughton and Burgess Meredith and a Broadway producer visited his apartment to look at his work.
They bought seven paintings. Laughton acquired three.
"From that point on, I never worked part time. I was able to work as an artist," said Sato, 76.
More than 40 years later, Sato is acknowledged by art experts as one of the most accomplished artists in Hawaii.

		Tadashi Sato Submerged Rocks, 1991 Oil on Linen, 68 x 72 in.
		Tadashi Sato Raindrops on Lake, 1967 Oil on Linen, 30 x 42 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1968 Oil on Linen, 36 x 48 in.
		Tadashi Sato Sea Form #8, 1960 Oil on Linen, 50 x 60 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1968 Oil on Linen, 48 x 36 in.
		Tadashi Sato Submerged Rock and Reflections, 1967 Oil on Linen, 42 x 42 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1968 Oil on Linen, 20 x 30 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1971 Oil on Linen, 36 x 48 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1973 Oil on Linen, 36 x 72 in.
		Tadashi Sato Night Surf 1, 1965 Oil on Linen, 68 x 50 in.
		Tadashi Sato Composition II, 1997 Oil on Linen, 601/8 x 501/8 in.
		Tadashi Sato Shadow in the Walkway, 1991 Oil on Linen, 50 x 60 in.
		Tadashi Sato Composition, 1984 Oil on Linen, 68 x 50 in.
		Tadashi Sato Subway Station, 1977 Oil on Linen, 68 x 50 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1958 Ink and Watercolor on Paper, 153/8 x 111/4 in.
		Tadashi Sato Resting Maynah, 2001 Oil on Linen, 60 x 50 in.
		Tadashi Sato Bird and Surf, 1981 Oil on Linen, 20 x 10 in.
		Tadashi Sato Lava Field, 1987 Oil on Linen, 72 x 70 in.
		Tadashi Sato Airscape, 1997 Oil on Linen, 34 x 22 in.
		Tadashi Sato Mauka Makai, 1975 Oil on Linen, 42 x 42 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled (Nakalele), 1988 Oil on Linen, 30 x 48 in.
		Tadashi Sato Untitled, 1974 Oil on Canvas, 20 x 24 in.
		Tadashi Sato 7000 ft. A.S.L., 1980-81 Oil on Canvas, 20 x 16 in.
		Tadashi Sato Sand Turtle, 2000 Oil on Linen, 18 x 24 in.

Links:
Tadashi Sato: A Retrospective, The Contemporary Museum Honolulu
Tadashi Sato: MAUKA-MAKAI, Honolulu Star-Bulletin Feature
"Pure Poetry" - Tadashi Sato, Retrospective Exhibit — MauiTime Weekly Online