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 (born around 1953 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan) is a famous Japanese sculptor. He is known for his amazing sculptures at the Sagrada Família church in Barcelona, Spain. Sotoo was greatly inspired by the original architect, Antoni Gaudí. Because of his deep interest in Gaudí's work, Sotoo became a Catholic. In Japan, some people even call him the "Japanese Gaudí"!
Contents
Etsuro Sotoo's Life and Work
Etsuro Sotoo visited Barcelona in 1978. He was very impressed by the huge Sagrada Família church. This church is still being built today! Sotoo started working there as a stonecutter. A stonecutter is someone who carves designs into stone.
He has been creating sculptures for the church ever since. He follows the plans and ideas left behind by Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí was the original architect of the Sagrada Família.
Sculptures at Sagrada Família
Sotoo first worked on the Nativity Façade. This is one of the main parts of the church. He sculpted many figures for this section. These included angels, musicians, singers, and children. He also made the fruit baskets that sit on top of the church's spires.
Sotoo also designed the doors for the Nativity Façade. These doors were opened in December 2015. They are made of bronze and glass. They are decorated with plants, insects, and small animals. He also made four gargoyles for the towers of the Evangelists. These towers are still being built.
He helped restore some sculptures too. The Porta del Rosari sculptures were damaged during the Spanish Civil War. Sotoo helped fix them. He also worked on special tubular bells. These bells are planned for the bell towers of the three main parts of the Sagrada Família.
Other Works and Recognition
Outside of the Sagrada Família, Sotoo has created other sculptures. He made a monument in 2004 for Louis Vuitton in Barbera del Valles. He also created the Memorial Angel Lace in 2003. This sculpture is in Arenys de Munt. In 2004, he made a sculpture of Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer. This piece is in the Montalegre church in Barcelona.
In Japan, Sotoo created "Birth" in 1985. He also made "The Old Man and the Girl" in 1988. Both are at the Art Museum Chohachi Matsuzaki. He sculpted "Pineapples" in 1993 for the Stadium of Fukuoka. His "Five Elements" sculpture from 1997 is at the Institute of Fukuoka. This is a large monument dedicated to water, wind, sky, fire, and earth.
When he was 37, Sotoo became a Catholic. He was inspired by his deep study of Gaudí's work. He took the baptismal name Luca Michelangelo. In 2015, he designed the pulpit for the Florence Cathedral in Italy. In 2024, Etsuro Sotoo received the Ratzinger Prize. This is a special award given for contributions to theology and culture.
See also
In Spanish: Etsuro Sotoo para niños
