Etsuro Sotoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Etsuro Sotoo
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| 外尾悦郎 | |
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Sotoo in 2010
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| Born |
Etsurō Sotoo
1953 (age 71–72) |
| Education | Kyoto University (BA) |
| Known for | Sagrada Família sculptures |
| Movement | Modernisme |
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Etsurō Sotoo is a famous Japanese sculptor. He was born around 1953 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He is very inspired by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. This interest even led him to become a Catholic. Sotoo is best known for his amazing sculptures at the Sagrada Família church in Barcelona, Spain. In Japan, people sometimes call him the "Japanese Gaudí."
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Etsuro Sotoo's Life and Work
Etsuro Sotoo visited Barcelona in 1978. He was incredibly impressed by the Sagrada Família, a huge church designed by Antoni Gaudí. He decided to stay and work there as a stonecutter. Since then, he has been creating sculptures for the church. He follows the plans and ideas left behind by Gaudí.
Sculpting the Nativity Façade
Sotoo first worked on the Nativity Façade of the Sagrada Família. This part of the church shows scenes from the birth of Jesus. He sculpted many figures for this façade. These included angels, musicians, singers, and children. He also created the fruit baskets that sit on top of the church's tall spires.
Creating Doors and Gargoyles
Etsuro Sotoo also designed the doors for the Nativity Façade. These doors were opened in December 2015 after many years of work. They are made of bronze and glass. They are decorated with detailed carvings of plants, insects, and small animals. He also made four gargoyles. These will be placed on the towers of the Evangelists, which are still being built. Sotoo also helped fix sculptures on another part of the church, the Porta del Rosari. These had been damaged during the Spanish Civil War.
His Faith and Other Projects
When he was 37, Sotoo became a Catholic. He did this because of his deep admiration for Gaudí's work. He chose the baptism name Luca Michelangelo. In 2015, he created the pulpit for the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. In 2024, Etsuro Sotoo received the Ratzinger Prize. This award recognizes people who have made important contributions to theology or culture.
See also
In Spanish: Etsuro Sotoo para niños
