Late 20th Century Large 47" Signed Kenzi Shiokava Hand-Carved Wood Organic Brutalist Totemic Sculpture

Details

Description

This monumental 47-inch (almost 4 feet) original sculpture is a rare and significant work by the late Los Angeles-based artist … Read more This monumental 47-inch (almost 4 feet) original sculpture is a rare and significant work by the late Los Angeles-based artist Kenzi Shiokava (1938–2021). A master of assemblage and carving, Shiokava’s work is characterized by its spiritual interaction with natural and discarded materials, often salvaged railroad ties or telephone poles, to reveal their "life history."

This totemic form displays Shiokava’s signature "archaeological" approach, featuring a striking dark and light motif where the artist has utilized Gesso to fill and accentuate the wood's organic voids. This deliberate contrast highlights the rhythmic, vertical carvings that earned him the 2016 Hammer Museum Mohn Public Recognition Award. The piece is mounted on a substantial black circular base and is signed by the artist.

Institutional Importance & 2026 Retrospective
This work is offered at a pivotal moment in the artist's legacy. A major solo museum retrospective, "Kenzi Shiokava: Totems," is scheduled at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago, running from June 27, 2026, through January 31, 2027. This exhibition, his first solo museum show, will further solidify his position as a cornerstone of the Los Angeles Assemblage movement.

Artist Provenance:
Museum Collections: Hammer Museum, MOCA Los Angeles, Watts Towers Arts Center.
Celebrity Collectors: Marlon Brando (for whom Shiokava worked as a gardener for 20 years), Jack Nicholson.

Condition Report
Excellent vintage condition. The piece retains its original Gesso accents and rich, weathered patina. Strong structural integrity with authentic signature as shown. See less