Satoru Abe

Satoru Abe (June 13, 1926 – February 4, 2025) was an American sculptor and painter renowned for his abstract works inspired by natural forms, particularly trees. Born in Moʻiliʻili, Honolulu, Hawaii, Abe played a pivotal role in the Hawaiian modernist movement and was a founding member of the Metcalf Chateau, a collective of seven Asian American artists. Over a prolific career spanning several decades, his art garnered national recognition, with pieces featured in prominent institutions such as the Honolulu Museum of Art and the Hawaii State Art Museum. In 1984, he was honored as a "Living Treasure" by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, reflecting his significant contributions to the arts in Hawaii and beyond.

Life and career

Two Abstract Figures, oil on canvas painting by Satoru Abe, c. 1955, Honolulu Museum of Art Abe was born in Moiliili, a district of Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended President William McKinley High School, where he took art lessons from Shirley Ximena Hopper Russell. After graduating from high school he worked for the Dairymen's Association. In 1947 he began taking art lessons from Hon Chew Hee and decided to pursue an art career in New York City. On his way to New York, in 1948, Abe spent a summer at the California School for Fine Arts. When he reached New York Abe attended the Art Students League of New York where he studied with Yasuo Kuniyoshi, George Grosz, Louis Bouche, and Jon Corbino. From 1948 to 1959, Abe traveled to New York regularly. He married Ruth, a fellow student from Wahiawa, and they returned to Hawaii in 1950.

In Hawaii Abe met local artist Isami Doi, who would become a close friend and mentor. During these few years in Hawaii, Abe also formed the Metcalf Chateau with Bumpei Akaji, Edmund Chung, Tetsuo Ochikubo, Jerry T. Okimoto, James Park, and Tadashi Sato. Their first group exhibition was in 1954.

Abe died on February 4, 2025, at the age of 98. Abe believed in reincarnation, which influenced his work.

Works

Abe is best known for his sculptures of abstracted natural forms, many of which resemble trees, such as East and West in the collection of the Hawaii State Art Museum. He also painted. Two Abstract Figures in the collection of the Honolulu Museum of Art typifies this aspect of his work. The Honolulu Museum of Art and the Hawaii State Art Museum are among the public collections that hold Abe's works. His sculptures in public places include: Three Rocks on a Hill, Honolulu Community College, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1975 Among the Ruins, Leeward Community College, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1973 Tree of Knowledge, Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, Nanakuli, Hawaii, 1971 Enchanting Garden, President William McKinley High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1983 Three Clouds, Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1974 An Island of Trees, Honolulu International Airport, Diamond Head Extension, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1987 The Seed, Farrington High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1995 Reaching for the Sun, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1997 Early Spring, 'Aiea High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1976 A Community Surrounded by Sugar Cane, Ka'imiloa Elementary School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1978 Moon Beyond the Fence, Pearl City High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1981 Spring, Summer, Autumn, James B. Castle High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1980 Five Logs on a Hill, Kau High and Pahala Elementary School, Pahala, Hawaii, 1975 Landscape on the Ocean, Waiakea High School, Waiakea, Hawaii, 1983 Reaching for the Sun, Iao School, Wailuku, Hawaii, 1981 A Path Through the Trees, Maui High School, Kahului, Hawaii, 1977 Trees, Vines, Rocks, and Petroglyphs, Lanai Community School, Lanai City, Hawaii, 1976 Boulders, Salt Pond and Taro Fields, Eleele Elementary School, Eleele, Hawaii, 1989 Aged Tree, Kauikeaouli Hale, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1976 Untitled sculpture, Leilehua High School, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1976 Volcano, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1980 Growing Out From the Wheel, The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2006 Kukui ʻĀ Mau I Ke Ao Mālamalama (A Torch That Continues to Burn During the Day), Keoneʻae Skyline station, East Kapolei, Hawaii, 2021