Tom Tsuchiya | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1972-08-03)August 3, 1972 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Apprentice toRichard J. Miller |
| Known for | sculpture |
| Website | www.tomtsuchiya.com[8] |
Tom Tsuchiya also known asNorikazu (born August 3, 1972) is an American artist who creates publicsculpture. He is best known forbronze sculptures forMajor League Baseball and theNational Football League.[1][2][3] In 2016, Tom was commissioned by Josh Rooney, the Director of Sports & Entertainment at Matthews International to produce theNational Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum plaque bas-reliefs forKen Griffey Jr. andMike Piazza.[4][5]
Tsuchiya created four life-size bronze sculptures ofCincinnati Reds players atGreat American Ball Park inCincinnati, Ohio, U.S.. These sculptures, depictingCrosley Field era players involved in an imaginary ballgame, representJoe Nuxhall pitching toFrank Robinson,Ernie Lombardi catching andTed Kluszewski on deck.[6] All four sculptures were completed by 2004.[7][8]
In 2009, Tsuchiya was commissioned to design and sculpt theMadden Most Valuable Protectors Award to honor the NFL's bestoffensive line.[9][10] He created this bronzetrophy as a departure from the traditional award design, integrating figures of the players into the trophy's base.[11] On February 3, 2010, the offensive line ofNew Orleans Saints became the inaugural winner of the trophy.
In September 2012, Tsuchiya completedLux Mundi, a 15.8 meter (52 feet) tall statue ofJesus forSolid Rock Church inMonroe, Ohio. This work replaces the statue of Jesus that was destroyed by a lightning strike in June, 2010.[12][13][14][15]
In March 2010, Tsuchiya createdAtlas Recycled, asustainable art sculpture that doubles as arecycling container foraluminum cans andplastic bottles.[16][17] The 2.1 meter (7 feet) tall sculpture depicts the mythicalGreekTitanAtlas bearing the earth on his shoulders. In addition to being a recycling aid,Atlas itself is made mainly from reused materials. Pieces of 14 used atlases and road maps cover the entire surface of the sculpture.[17] Most of thepolymer andsteel that form the structure were reused from the creation of some of the artist's previous sculptures. To celebrateEarth Day,Atlas has been exhibited inCincinnati'sFountain Square,New York City'sGrand Central Terminal andWashington D.C.'sNational Mall.[16][18]
In December 2015 artist Mindy Ellis who produced a total of 76 bas-relief likeness for theNational Baseball Hall of Fame induction plaques retired her commission after 20 years of service. In February 2016 Tom Tsuchiya was commissioned by Josh Rooney, the Director of Sports and Entertainment at Matthews Internationalto produce the bas-relief likeness forKen Griffey Jr. andMike Piazza, and has been serving since.[19]
Other notable works by Tsuchiya include the sculpture to honor slain baseball coach Cleveland Parker III. This sculpture features a relief portrait of Parker, a poem and a spiraling arrangement of representations of home plate, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bases. At night, this sculpture announces its presence by emitting pulsating light created by digitally controlledLEDs located inside the sculpture's body. Tsuchiya collaborated with AmericanpoetNikki Giovanni on this memorial who wrote apoem celebratingCleveland Parker's life that is inscribed on the north side of the sculpture. Cleveland Parker was a Cincinnati youth baseball coach who was fatally struck by a stray bullet on July 12, 2005.[20]
In September 17, 2011, the Cincinnati Reds unveiled Tsuchiya's statue of the great Redscatcher,Johnny Bench. Tsuchiya's fifth statue for Great American Ball Park is located near the entrance of theCincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. The statue represents Bench in the act of throwing out a base runner.[21] Johnny Bench stated that the unveiling of his statue was "his greatest moment."[22]
Tsuchiya also made a statue ofJoe Morgan that was dedicated in summer 2013.[23]
