Hiroyuki Nishimura uses reclaimed wood and scavenged materials to produce outwardly sculptural, provocative furniture and decor. Harvesting felled and abandoned trees from the Shonan and Izu Peninsula areas of Japan, Nishimura chooses to work in the medium that speaks to him. Zougei Inc. is the name of his furniture studio in Yugawara, Japan.
While much of the wood Nishimura reclaims is largely deemed unsuitable for conventional furniture or for any other building projects, his proficiency with sculpture proves otherwise, with the artist-designer bringing new life to the material and creating interesting bookcases, side tables and magazine racks through hand-carving techniques and the occasional use of a chainsaw. Nishimura works with the shape of any given fallen tree — he rarely works against the natural form of his chosen material — and creates works that hold a primal appeal and often resemble ancient totemic artifacts.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Nishimura attended the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1986. After graduating, he began working as a prep school teacher, while also pursuing his love of art through sculpting wood. In 2008, Nishimura opened his own studio Zougei Inc. Today, Zougei has production facilities alongside Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Nishimura has won several awards and performed many solo exhibitions throughout his career. His numerous accolades include the Silver Award at the 8th Kajima Sculpture Competition in 2004 and the Grand Prize Award at the 10th Oita Asian Sculpture Exhibition in 2010. His many exhibitions include solo shows at the Sekiguchi Art Museum in Tokyo and the GEM Art Gallery of Tokyo.
Find Zougei furniture on 1stDibs.
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf F2
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Top of the stone Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displa...
Wood
Zougei wood Sculpture Shelf Bookcase Televisore
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cardinal and Mr.Tower Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: osmanthus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura...
Wood
$4,600 / item
Zougei Abstract Sculpture Tribal Style shelf 3
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Porter Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf 6 side table high stool
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: I'm home Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: oak This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf f...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf 5
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Kakashi Wind Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displayi...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf 4
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Kakashi Mountain Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also disp...
Wood
Zougei Abstract Sculpture shelf F1
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Top of the stone Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displa...
Wood
$5,000 / item
Zougei Abstract Sculpture Tribal Style shelf 2
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Nomad Sculpture. Also it can be used as small bookcase. Material: zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. it's sculpture and also displaying shelf ...
Wood
Zougei wold wood Sculpture Shelf Bookcase K1
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Cardinal and Mr.Tower Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: osmanthus This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood used for Nishimura...
Wood
Midcentury Walnut Cado Display Shelf
By Poul Cadovius
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Walnut Cado System display shelf thats meant to hold books or flat artwork. The shelf has a beautiful catch at the bottom preventing a book from...
Rosewood
Abstract Sculpture
Located in Antwerp, BE
Abstract modern sculpture. Measures: Height 67 cm. Diameter 28 cm.
Metal, Chrome
Abstract Stone Horse Sculpture
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract stone sculpture in the style of Noguchi. The sculpture consists of two stone pieces set into one another and then balanced on a wood base. The piece also uses rope and wood ...
Stone
Abstract Sculpture, Marble
Located in Madrid, ES
Abstraction. Marble sculpture. Abstract sculpture is non-figurative, it is based on three-dimensionality and relies on texture and geometric shapes, with color as the protagonist ...
Marble
$2,044
H 31.7 in W 19.49 in D 19.49 in
Antique Sheraton Revival Hardwood & Satinwood Revolving Bookcase Side End Table
By Sheraton Revival
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine antique Sheraton Revival Mahogany & Satinwood revolving bookcase table A very good looking well made and decorative piece. Made i...
Hardwood, Satinwood
Bookcase/Shelf With 3 Shelves & Wheels In Mahogany
Located in Lejre, DK
19th century mahogany bookcase/shelf. The furniture is furnished with three shelves and detailed turned columns. At the bottom it is mounted with small wheels, which provides both fu...
Mahogany
Willy Guhl Concrete Cube Side Table, 1960s Switzerland
By Willy Guhl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a brutalist flare to your interior with this piece by Swiss architect Willy Guhl. A sculptural concrete cube with a hollow interior and curved edges, this object would make for a...
Concrete
$875Sale Price|30% Off
H 40 in W 36 in D 12 in
Vintage Early American Colonial Style Low Profile Scalloped Pine Bookcase Shelf
Located in Dayton, OH
This Early American style bookcase captures the warm, utilitarian charm of traditional colonial-era craftsmanship. Built from solid wood with a rich, honey-amber stain, the piece hig...
Pine
Neoclassical Style Two Shelf Nickel Plated Bookcase Console
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent neoclassical style two-shelf bookcase, shelves or console table featuring a high polish nickel plated finish. The table is constructed with six round legs having finials on t...
Metal, Brass, Nickel
Unavailable|$830 / item
H 36.62 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Black Turtle Bookcase, Designed by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) In Stock in Los Angeles A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a...
Metal
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Cherry
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Franklin Solid Wood Corner Shelf, Maple
Located in Cincinnati, US
The award nominated Franklin Shelf is a 90 degree corner shelf. This unique design allows for maximum storage space, while occupying a very small area. ...
Wood, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Zougei Furniture Sculptural shelf room divider
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Forest house Sculptural table by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This shelf consists of three separate shelves. This work is carved from log with some kinds of chai...
Wood
Zougei Jenga Sculpture Shelf Bookcase 05
By Zougei
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Name: Jenga Sculptural stool by Zougei carved furniture Material: Zelkova This work is carved from log with some kinds of chainsaws. Most of wood ...
Wood