A native of Tokyo, world-renowned sculptor Kingi Akagawa has lived in Minnesota since 1963. His sculpture, "Garden Seating, Reading, Thinking" was commissioned for the 1988 opening of the Walker Sculpture Garden, and is a good example of his interest in "the ecology of everyday spaces." His work combines the elegant simplicity of traditional Japanese aesthetics with a deep passion for art's impact on public spaces. For him, the role of the arts in society is critical, and each artist's journey begins with self-awareness directed outward. Regarding his passionate yet pragmatic approach, Akagawa has said, "The world is dysfunctional, but artists try to make it functional by interpreting it." Recipient of the 2007 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award, Kinji Akagawa has been on the faculty of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design since 1973.