2004 37c Isamu Noguchi: Akari 25N

U.S. #3857
2004 37¢ Akari
Isamu Noguchi

Issue Date: May 18, 2004
City: Long Island City, NY
Quantity: 57,000,000

Printed By: Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd

Printing Method: Lithographed

Perforations: Serpentine die cut 10 ½ x 10 ¾

Color: Black

“Everything is sculpture,” stated Isamu Noguchi (1904-88). He believed that sculpture gave shape, order, and meaning to space.

Noguchi was born in Los Angeles. His mother was an American writer and his father a Japanese poet. After a childhood in Japan, he returned to the U.S. for his education. Noguchi entered Columbia University intending to study medicine. However, success with an evening sculpture course changed his direction.

Noguchi left college and went to Paris to work with the famous sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Back in New York, Noguchi sculpted heads of wealthy people and friends like Martha Graham and R. Buckminster Fuller. Next, Noguchi traveled the Eastern world studying Asian art, architecture, and gardens. 

Using many media, Noguchi created a broad range of works, like dance sets for Martha Graham, playgrounds, plazas, furniture, gardens, busts, and abstract forms. The “Isamu Noguchi” postage stamps feature a variety of sculptures by this remarkable artist.