MINAKO YOSHINO ART & MONUMENT


TESTIMONIAL




” MINAKO is in the forefront of the field of sculpture ”


Gwen Pier

Executive Director, National Sculpture Society, USA

　



” MINAKO's statue is just so beautiful and it's wonderful to have it in a public park for everyone to enjoy ”

Jane Mclntosh
Former Vice President for Development and External Affairs, Central Park NYC
CAO of Children Museum of Manhattan




” We are honored to showcase landmark works of art by the talented MINAKO YOSHINO that truly celebrate the connection between art, architecture, and nature ”


Joseph Cotter
President & CEO, National Resources, USA




” This Holocaust Memorial by MINAKO's hand is an extremely precious piece for the human being to learn the history "


Helen Zeling
Organizer, Holocaust Memorial Project, USA




” The sculpture created by MINAKO YOSHINO is more attractive to me than Venus de milo, the masterpiece of ancient Greek sculpture”


Kenichiro Kobayashi

Conductor and Composer

The 77th Imperial Prize, Japan Art Academy Prize 2021 　




” MINAKO YOSHINO’s enduring creative spirit and mastery of form position her as a world-class sculptor of rare distinction.
She continues to inspire the next generation through her heartfelt lectures and the powerful stories behind her work, making a profound impact on young people across the globe"

Tadanori Nagasawa
Chairman, Musashino Art University, Japan
2020 Tokyo Olympics Brand Advisory Board Member

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about





MINAKO YOSHINO
(International Public Artist • Sculptor • Urban Art Designer)

Born in Toyama, Japan and based in New York City, Minako Yoshino is a public artist known for her hand-carved monuments that reflect cross-cultural design. Inspired by Michelangelo during travels in Italy, she studied oil painting and design at Musashino Art University, later deepening her understanding of human anatomy at the Art Students League of New York.

Her mentor, Seiji Saito — a former assistant to Isamu Noguchi — introduced her to the world of sculpture. In 2001, Minako began carving marble by hand, embracing a now-rare traditional technique in contemporary art.

Minako’s journey as a public artist was profoundly shaped by her experience during the September 11 attacks in NYC. Witnessing the tragedy firsthand gave her a deep sense of purpose: to create art in public spaces that fosters love, peace, and human connection — as a response to loss and a tribute to resilience.

In 2013, she won a public art competition in NYC and completed her first large-scale monument, Lovers, in Manhattan’s Riverside Park. Since then, Minako has designed sculptures and memorials for parks and gardens, while furthering her expertise through studies in Public Art for Urban Design at Harvard University and natural stone techniques at the U.S. Stone Institute.

Her creative practice spans painting, kimono design, architectural restoration, publishing, and whimsical expressions such as chocolate and beverage design — all supporting the sustainability of public art. Her guiding belief: Art for All. Minako continues to live and work in New York City, creating spaces where art brings people together.


Endorsements:

The Metropolitan Museum of New York

The National Sculpture Society

The United Nations

The City of New York
NPO P+B (The oldest professional organization for women writers and artists in the United States)


Public Collections:

Japan Red Cross Society​

Holocaust Memorial Garden, Englewood, NJ

Tarrytown, NY
Edgewater, NJ
Toyama Prefecture

City of Toyama


Awards:

M2M public art fellowship by NYC x ASL

Edward G McDowell Europe Travel Study Grant by ASL

Sculpture Award by NPO P&B Women's Artist Organization

The Best Young Artist Award by the National Sculpture Society

Merit Scholarship by ASL

Musashino Award by Musashino Art University


Creative Partners:
Flynn Stone Design & Fabrication, US
Toyo Stone Inc, Japan

General Stone Inc, Japan
Cooperativa Scultori di Carrara, Italy
Fumigiku Sake brewing Co., Ltd. Japan


Selected Past Activities:


2025:
- Lectures at International Rotary Club 2610 Conference and 2 others


2024:
- Commission of Memorial for the repose of a departed souls

Ryuenji-Buddhist Temple, Miyagi,Japan

- Lectures at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Graduate School and 3 others

2023:
- Dedication: Sacred statue to Okuda Shrine, Toyama, Japan

- Lectures at Toyama Business Association and 2 others


2022:

- Exhibit at THE LOFT - Indstory City, Brooklyn, NY

- Lectures at NOBUKO Forum

2021:
- Produced "Lovers Chocolate" ”Lovers SAKE" to support the maintenance costs of the monument, Japan
- Lectures at Toyama High School and 2 other schools
- Lovers Music Concert" on FM TOYAMA

2020:

- Commission of "Toyama Station Monument: Lovers"

- Exhibit at Seizan Gallery, NYC

- Founded Global Youth Conference "CONNECT"
- Lectures at Hirugi High School, Okinawa, Japan, and 5 other schools

2019:

- Working in Carrara, Italy for a monument project.
- Lecture at Hayahoshi Junior High School, Toyama, Japan

2018:

- Commission of The Holocaust Memorial in Englewood, NJ

- Lectures at Musashino Art University, Okayama University, Hyogo Education University, Toyama International University, Toyama College of Foreign Languages, and 9 other schools.


2017:

- Exhibit at Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, NYC

- Lectures for 4600 students at 10 High Schools in Toyama, and Okayama University in Japan.


2016:

- Commission of 13 feet long bluestone monument “Hudson River Spirit” in Tarrytown NY.

- Lectures at Okayama University, Yokohama SOGO Museum in Japan, Holiday Inn Midtown Manhattan in NYC, Koshi Hall, Hotel Grand Terrace Toyama in Japan.

- Document show on Yomiuri TV in Japan.


2005-2015:

- Commissioned the 15-ton bluestone monument “The Sleeping Mermaid” for Edgewater NJ. This work is distinguished for being the first classically sculpted bluestone monument in the world (2015)

- Commissioned 12 feet high "Lovers" monument in the Riverside Park NYC featured in The Wall Street Journal (2014)

- Study the works of Michelangelo in Florence Italy by the grant (2009-2010)

- Landmark Hearst Tower sculpture restoration feature by The New York Times (2005)

- 7 feet painting and poem show "Earth & Humanity" at the United Nations in NYC (2005)