Natale Adgnot - Artist in Tokyo

Natale Adgnot

I'm an artist in Tokyo, Japan

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I speak English and French

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About me

My work leverages the rich language of the natural sciences to reveal human nature. I am especially interested in wordplay and the metaphors to be found between social psychology and the “hard” sciences such as geology and chemistry. Born and raised in the Unites States, I moved to France in 2000 where I lived for a decade. I currently reside in Japan where I completed two artist residencies in 2015 and 2016 (Tokyo Wonder Site and 3331 Arts Chiyoda). Drawing upon this variety of cultures and languages, I employ my equally varied professional experience in design, fashion and art to challenge cultural and societal prejudices.

My series "American Minerals" and "Japanese Minerals" focus on the images projected by public personas, comparing the characteristics of rocks to those of famous people or characters that embody a stereotype. By judging rock specimens on a series of binary scales defined by human faces, my work points to the absurdity of judging human specimens against the rigid codes that many of us unwittingly harbor in our own minds.

The paintings in the new series "Mineral Siblings" aim to point out both similarities and stark differences between human siblings and their crystalline counterparts. Mineral twinning – a natural phenomenon whereby distinct crystals form in aggregates – is analogous to brothers and sisters who don't fall far from the tree (or from each other). By contrast, strikingly different minerals such as diamond and graphite are sometimes polymorphs – that is, two forms of the very same chemical compound. Some canvases give higher profile to unknown people than to their famous siblings, literally turning on its head the notion that some people are worth more than others.

My Creations

  1. Xenotime (Byobu)

    15 December 2016

    The Japanese segment of the “Minerals” (www.nataleadgnot.com/japanese-minerals) series is an offshoot of the earlier American Minerals work.

    “Minerals” are a mash-up of pop culture, sociology, scientific data and the raw beauty of stones. These large acrylic paintings show crystal shapes against the backdrop of scientific mineral data that... continue reading (0, 1 image)

  2. Acrylic and acrylic transfer on linen. 73 x 91 cm.

    The paintings in the Mineral Siblings series (www.nataleadgnot.com/mineral-siblings) were inspired by the similarities and the differences between human siblings and their crystalline counterparts. Mineral twinning – a natural phenomenon whereby distinct crystals form in aggregates that look like... continue reading (0, 1 image)

  3. Morganite II

    15 December 2016

    Acrylic and acrylic transfer on linen. 100 x 100 cm.

    “Minerals” are a mash-up of pop culture, sociology, scientific data and the raw beauty of stones. These large acrylic paintings show crystal shapes against the backdrop of scientific mineral data that has been reinterpreted as scales of human traits. Each... continue reading (0, 1 image)

  4. The Sea Triptych

    11 March 2017

    This triptych was inspired by the dramatic difference in perception that accompanies a change of scale. When viewing any subject from a great distance, we inevitably come away with an impression that is dramatically different from what we would find if we viewed the same thing on a personal level... continue reading (0, 1 image)

  5. Please join us for the opening reception of "Mineral Siblings" on Friday, March 24 from 5-9pm. This solo exhibition will include paintings and drawings from 2016 and 2017. The series is inspired by the similarities and the differences between human siblings and their mineral counterparts. Taking a page from the... continue reading (0, 1 image)

  6. Spectrolite 17

    20 December 2017

    2017. Acrylic and transfer on wood panel. 21 x 30 cm.
    This piece, "Spectrolite 17", is one of three pieces on exhibition at Clouds Art + Coffee in Koenji through January 7, and is part of an ongoing body of work inspired by minerals. http://www.nataleadgnot.com/specimens

  7. New drawing in 3D

    16 May 2018

    New small sculpture for my upcoming art exhibition (Geometry Geology, May 31 - June 3 at ES Gallery). The exhibition will also include the amazing collage artwork of Julia Dittberner.

  8. This small work is part of a new series of artworks to be shown at the end of May in Tokyo. As before, my inspirations come from a combination of science – especially minerals – and graphic mark-making.

  9. This sculptural drawing is one of many that will be exhibited from May 31 - June 3 at ES Gallery. "Geometry Geology" is an art exhibition including drawings, sculpture and collage by Natale Adgnot and Julia Dittberner. https://www.facebook.com/events/212296179358793/

  10. Opal Specimen

    29 May 2018

    This piece (Opal Specimen, 2018. Acrylic and transfer on wood panel, 30 x 21 cm) is one of several that will be exhibited this week at "Geometry Geology", an art exhibition with Julia Dittberner. Opening this Thurs. Info at https://goo.gl/Pzp4zy.