Masao Gozu


Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1946, Gozu attended Toyo Institute of Art and Design (Tōyō Bijutsu Senmon Gakkō) until 1970. The next year he moved to New York, where he studied, graduating in 1973 from Brooklyn Museum Art School. There he photographed people looking out of windows. These photographs are carefully made, with perspective correction. They constituted his first solo exhibition, at O. K. Harris Works of Art in 1980. A second series (1976–81) is of a view, with framing precisely fixed, into the window of Harry's Bar (later renamed Harold's Bar). A third series is "264", identically framed views of 264 the Bowery, occupied by a succession of the destitute and derelict.

Gozu's work has been shown in the Ginza Nikon Salon as well as in galleries in New York. He won the 10th Ina Nobuo Award.

In December 1990, he won Le prix special du jury, Mois de la photo 90, Paris.

While Gozu continues to show his photography in Japan, Europe and the United States, since 1984 he has also been reconstructing windows from old buildings. He sees this as an evolving aspect of the same aesthetic as his photographs. While his photographs have frequently employed windows as the frame for the subject, with his sculpture he has taken this idea one step further, by making the window itself his subject.

In 1988, Gozu showed for the first time both sculpture and photographs at O. K. Harris Gallery in New York. He photographed his sculptures installed at different locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and New Jersey. Each of the five images represented a component of the Go Dai (a Buddhist concept of the five elements that shape the physical world). These include Sea, Sun, Wave, Fire and Cloud. The windows were situated in a specific location at a particular time of year so that the photographs of the windows reflected the sun between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. He sees these compositions as symbolic of Niten (two gods). Sun became part of the K & B Plaza sculpture collection in New Orleans, and was later moved to the New Orleans Museum. Cloud became part of Martin Marguiles’ sculpture collection in Florida.


Interested in Masao’s work? Please email us. ︎





Court Tree Collective was established in 2013 by a group of artists and creatives with the primary purpose of representing and supporting the work of emerging and established contemporary artists. Since its opening Court Tree Collective has been a staple to south Brooklyn’s emerging art scene and in a short time has exhibited a number of important exhibitions. In addition they have curated a number of exhibitions at satellite locations throughout the states and abroad.

We are a family-run art gallery specializing in emerging artists to offer a unique and intimate experience for art enthusiasts. Court Tree Collective showcases outsider art, which often defies traditional artistic conventions, alongside works by up-and-coming artists to add depth and diversity to the gallery's offerings. Visitors can expect to encounter raw, authentic expressions of creativity that challenge perceptions and ignite curiosity. By nurturing rising talent and championing unconventional voices, the gallery plays a vital role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive art community.

Our gallery is curated by artists for artists, which fosters a dynamic and supportive environment where creative visionaries can thrive. With firsthand understanding of the artistic process, the curators can showcase works that resonate deeply with both artists and audiences. This curated space celebrates diversity, innovation, and experimentation; it provides a platform for emerging and established artists to connect, collaborate, and showcase their talents. By upholding a community-driven approach to curation, the gallery becomes a vibrant hub for inspiration, dialogue, and artistic exchange.︎

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Location

Industry City
51 35th Street,
BLD #5
2nd FL, Suite B236
Brooklyn, NY 11232


Mailing Address

Court Tree Collective
728 41st Street #1F
Brooklyn, NY 11232


Contact

info@courttree.com

917.225.9253








Gallery Hours

Thurs - Sat 12 - 6pm
Sun 12 - 5pm
*and by appointment



The 36 St subway station {D, N, R, trains} is the nearest one to Industry City in Brooklyn






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